Licensed professional counselor vs clinical counselor

The differences between licensed professional counselors and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a licensed professional counselor and a clinical counselor. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor has an average salary of $94,675, which is higher than the $54,191 average annual salary of a clinical counselor.

The top three skills for a licensed professional counselor include patients, social work and LPC. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.

Licensed professional counselor vs clinical counselor overview

	Licensed Professional Counselor	Clinical Counselor
Yearly salary	$94,675	$54,191
Hourly rate	$45.52	$26.05
Growth rate	6%	17%
Number of jobs	153,612	146,133
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Average age	41	41
Years of experience	4	4

What does a licensed professional counselor do?

A licensed professional counselor is a healthcare professional who specializes in providing therapy and counseling to patients with emotional and mental health issues. They listen to their patients and utilize various techniques to address concerns and help through the healing procedures. Their duties entail conducting interviews and evaluations, performing research and assessments, studying the patients' medical histories, providing consultations, and developing treatment plans that suit every patients' needs. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor monitors and records their patients' progress, adjusting treatments and medications as necessary.

What does a clinical counselor do?

A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.

Licensed professional counselor vs clinical counselor salary

Licensed professional counselors and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Licensed Professional Counselor	Clinical Counselor
Average salary	$94,675	$54,191
Salary range	Between $73,000 And $122,000	Between $43,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Bethesda, MD
Highest paying state	New York	Maryland
Best paying company	Bloomberg	Novo Nordisk
Best paying industry	Real Estate	Professional

Differences between licensed professional counselor and clinical counselor education

There are a few differences between a licensed professional counselor and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:

	Licensed Professional Counselor	Clinical Counselor
Most common degree	Master's Degree, 48%	Bachelor's Degree, 55%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Northwestern University	California State University - Long Beach

Licensed professional counselor vs clinical counselor demographics

Here are the differences between licensed professional counselors' and clinical counselors' demographics:

	Licensed Professional Counselor	Clinical Counselor
Average age	41	41
Gender ratio	Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%	Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6%
Race ratio	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%	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 Percentage	15%	15%

Differences between licensed professional counselor and clinical counselor duties and responsibilities

Licensed professional counselor example responsibilities.

Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Provide clinical supervision to LPC candidates, contract clinicians and counseling psychology practicum/internship students.
Assign, direct, and provide supervision of screening assessment complete by LPC and LCSW.
Conduct intakes and assessments on new admissions and recommend placement into services base on ASAM criteria.
Coordinate with the patient's family, attending physician, other hospitals and agencies following HIPAA standards.
Specialize in OCD and animal assist psychotherapy.

Clinical counselor example responsibilities.

Manage a caseload of individuals in programs design to provide vocational rehabilitation and other services to the developmentally disable.
Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
Perform client intake assessments and conduct monthly assessments to identify progress of patients and determine individuals ready to graduate from program.
Review charts to ensure that they are in compliance with OASAS standards.
Initial assessment, diagnosis, ASAM criteria, treatment planning , 3rd party contact, group and individual therapy.
Maintain appropriate documentation per NYS OASAS regulations and APG guidelines

Licensed professional counselor vs clinical counselor skills

Common licensed professional counselor skills

Patients, 13%
Social Work, 12%
LPC, 10%
Real Estate, 10%
Individual Therapy, 8%
Crisis Intervention, 6%

Common clinical counselor skills

Social Work, 36%
Patients, 8%
Foster Care, 7%
Independent Living, 6%
Child Abuse, 4%
Clinical Services, 3%

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Licensed Professional Counselor
Licensed Professional Counselor vs Clinical Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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