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The differences between mental health consultants and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a mental health consultant, becoming an addictions counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a mental health consultant has an average salary of $51,006, which is higher than the $47,226 average annual salary of an addictions counselor.
The top three skills for a mental health consultant include healthcare, substance abuse and patients. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.
| Mental Health Consultant | Addictions Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $51,006 | $47,226 |
| Hourly rate | $24.52 | $22.70 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 127,233 | 79,459 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A mental health consultant is responsible for providing counseling and emotional support to manage a client's issue and control behaviors. Mental health consultants must have excellent communication and listening skills to understand and assess the client's situation and evaluate the level of their emotional and psychological distress. They also need to monitor progress on the client's state and use different psychotherapy methods and treatment plans. A mental health consultant should also reach out to other health professionals to ask assistance for any recovery options as needed.
An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.
Mental health consultants and addictions counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Consultant | Addictions Counselor | |
| Average salary | $51,006 | $47,226 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $75,000 | Between $32,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | California | Pennsylvania |
| Best paying company | Guidehouse | Wellpath |
| Best paying industry | Government | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a mental health consultant and an addictions counselor in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Consultant | Addictions Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Hunter College of the City University of New York |
Here are the differences between mental health consultants' and addictions counselors' demographics:
| Mental Health Consultant | Addictions Counselor | |
| Average age | 45 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 12% |