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The differences between licensed professional counselors and residence 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 residence counselor. Additionally, a licensed professional counselor has an average salary of $94,675, which is higher than the $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.
The top three skills for a licensed professional counselor include patients, social work and LPC. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Licensed Professional Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $94,675 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $45.52 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 153,612 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
Residence counselors are professionals who are responsible for providing services such as one-to-one therapy and crisis support to clients who are living in group homes or assisted-living facilities. These counselors must assist adults with moderate intellectual disabilities to find employment while monitoring their work performance. They must facilitate and supervise daily personal care and activities for developmentally disabled adults. Residence counselors must also encourage clients to participate in community activities that can contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent living.
Licensed professional counselors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Licensed Professional Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $94,675 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $73,000 And $122,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Bloomberg | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Real Estate | Education |
There are a few differences between a licensed professional counselor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Licensed Professional Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Master's Degree, 48% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between licensed professional counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Licensed Professional Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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% |