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Juvenile counselor vs mental health counselor

The differences between juvenile counselors and mental health counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a juvenile counselor, becoming a mental health counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health counselor has an average salary of $49,471, which is higher than the $43,252 average annual salary of a juvenile counselor.

The top three skills for a juvenile counselor include behavioral issues, rehabilitation and mental health. The most important skills for a mental health counselor are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Juvenile counselor vs mental health counselor overview

Juvenile CounselorMental Health Counselor
Yearly salary$43,252$49,471
Hourly rate$20.79$23.78
Growth rate-9%
Number of jobs75,518110,752
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age3941
Years of experience64

Juvenile counselor vs mental health counselor salary

Juvenile counselors and mental health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Juvenile CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average salary$43,252$49,471
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $60,000Between $34,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HILongview, WA
Highest paying stateHawaiiWashington
Best paying companyLake CountyFamily Life Counseling & Psychiatric Services
Best paying industryGovernmentHealth Care

Differences between juvenile counselor and mental health counselor education

There are a few differences between a juvenile counselor and a mental health counselor in terms of educational background:

Juvenile CounselorMental Health Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Juvenile counselor vs mental health counselor demographics

Here are the differences between juvenile counselors' and mental health counselors' demographics:

Juvenile CounselorMental Health Counselor
Average age3941
Gender ratioMale, 47.9% Female, 52.1%Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage12%15%

Differences between juvenile counselor and mental health counselor duties and responsibilities

Juvenile counselor example responsibilities.

  • Case managing, intakes, group and individual session, treatment plans, OASAS standards
  • Certify to administer adult and child CPR.
  • Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
  • Conduct new inmate orientation including serving as a PREA educator for the unit.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Mental health counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Certify in CPI (crisis intervention technique).
  • Assist with crisis intervention, (CPI) maintains treatment activities.
  • Provide mental health assessment and evaluation of detainees refer by facility staff or identify by pre-screening (booking or nursing).
  • Assess for special needs during booking process.
    • Show more

Juvenile counselor vs mental health counselor skills

Common juvenile counselor skills
  • Behavioral Issues, 14%
  • Rehabilitation, 12%
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
Common mental health counselor skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Patients, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patient Care, 6%
  • Mental Health Issues, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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