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Outreach counselor vs peer counselor

The differences between outreach counselors and peer counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an outreach counselor has an average salary of $45,946, which is higher than the $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.

The top three skills for an outreach counselor include social work, rehabilitation and mental illness. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.

Outreach counselor vs peer counselor overview

Outreach CounselorPeer Counselor
Yearly salary$45,946$37,464
Hourly rate$22.09$18.01
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs77,65976,608
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does an outreach counselor do?

The outreach counselor seeks people that need help and care. It is the main task of an outreach counselor to assist people experiencing hardships and difficulties in life. Many areas in society need the skills of an outreach counselor; foremost is schools and welfare organizations. The outreach counselor requests assistance, determines eligibility, and facilitates various outreach programs and events. The outreach counselor is expected to provide assistance to clients and guide them through all the processes in getting benefits from outreach organizations.

What does a peer counselor do?

Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

Outreach counselor vs peer counselor salary

Outreach counselors and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Outreach CounselorPeer Counselor
Average salary$45,946$37,464
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $62,000Between $24,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySalinas, CAHayward, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyBristol Community CollegeThe Brooklyn Hospital Center
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between outreach counselor and peer counselor education

There are a few differences between an outreach counselor and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:

Outreach CounselorPeer Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Outreach counselor vs peer counselor demographics

Here are the differences between outreach counselors' and peer counselors' demographics:

Outreach CounselorPeer Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between outreach counselor and peer counselor duties and responsibilities

Outreach counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Deliver direct services to children with autism by executing individualize plans, completing necessary documentation and communication effectively with team.
  • Validate entitlement and process customer claims for reimbursement for submission to DFAS for payment.
  • Process claims for reimbursement, determine entitlements and prepare documents for submission to DFAS for payment.
  • Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

Peer counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Refer clients (as needed) to inpatient or outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation programs and assist them in qualifying for services.
  • Formulate and edit nutrition education materials and monthly newsletters for WIC participants.
  • Counsele and enroll people in ACA and ABE.
  • Work with multiple groups of undergraduate students to improve GPA's.
  • Present information via PowerPoint and hand-outs to students on the dangers of poor credit decisions.
  • Show more

Outreach counselor vs peer counselor skills

Common outreach counselor skills
  • Social Work, 15%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Mental Illness, 6%
  • Community Agencies, 6%
  • Outreach Program, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
Common peer counselor skills
  • Peer Support, 14%
  • Substance Abuse, 9%
  • WIC Program, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%

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