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Lead counselor vs youth counselor

The differences between lead counselors and youth counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a lead counselor has an average salary of $178,478, which is higher than the $36,754 average annual salary of a youth counselor.

The top three skills for a lead counselor include legal advice, litigation and work ethic. The most important skills for a youth counselor are direct care, mental health, and crisis intervention.

Lead counselor vs youth counselor overview

Lead CounselorYouth Counselor
Yearly salary$178,478$36,754
Hourly rate$85.81$17.67
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs74,24778,461
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

What does a lead counselor do?

A Lead Counselor is responsible for the management of patients' mental health and rehabilitation services. Often, they help them to recover from a tragic or traumatic kind of situation. They also help the patient cope with family and job-related stress and other personal issues. They teach other staff and especially clients to educate them in dealing with stress management and eventually monitor their progress. This person should also have strong written and verbal communication skills.

What does a youth counselor do?

A Youth Counselor's role is to provide guidance and interact with children or teenagers in need of care and counseling. The duty of a Youth Counselor is diverse, and it highly depends on the organization or employer. However, the responsibilities mostly revolve around establishing rapport with the youngster while trying to work on their issues, ensuring their welfare by monitoring their emotional and physical state, coordinating with families or other facilities, suggesting treatments, and performing crisis intervention if necessary.

Lead counselor vs youth counselor salary

Lead counselors and youth counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Lead CounselorYouth Counselor
Average salary$178,478$36,754
Salary rangeBetween $100,000 And $315,000Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying CityLos Angeles, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateNew JerseyCalifornia
Best paying companyMDINew York State Restaurant Association
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between lead counselor and youth counselor education

There are a few differences between a lead counselor and a youth counselor in terms of educational background:

Lead CounselorYouth Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Lead counselor vs youth counselor demographics

Here are the differences between lead counselors' and youth counselors' demographics:

Lead CounselorYouth Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 41.6% Female, 58.4%Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%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 Percentage11%15%

Differences between lead counselor and youth counselor duties and responsibilities

Lead counselor example responsibilities.

  • Monitor children at the pool, CPR certify.
  • assist with reading writing mathematics social skills and everyday living skills.
  • Maintain safety and ensure well being of children daily by implementing discipline procedures and using CPR training when necessary.
  • Dispense medication and coordinate supervision of patients abusing behavior altering drugs.
  • Implement a research-base treatment program for children with ADHD and other behavioraldeficiencies.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
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Youth counselor example responsibilities.

  • Instruct students in course work including: reading, writing, mathematics, behavior modification, and social skills.
  • Train in physical restraint, conflict resolution, first aide, CPR, blood borne pathogen management and universal precautions.
  • Complete functional assessment evaluations of residents and write individualized rehabilitation goals that encourage community integration.
  • Monitor behavior, safety and location of juvenile residents that are court mandate, psychological/behavioral disorders, physical disabilities and autism.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation in all back-of-house areas and customer areas.
  • Supervise teens on maintaining cleanliness of cottage, individual rooms and their individual appearance.
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Lead counselor vs youth counselor skills

Common lead counselor skills
  • Legal Advice, 16%
  • Litigation, 14%
  • Work Ethic, 8%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Group Therapy, 6%
Common youth counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 8%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Necessary Paperwork, 6%

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