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Outreach counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between outreach counselors and residential 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 $34,117 average annual salary of a residential counselor.

The top three skills for an outreach counselor include social work, rehabilitation and mental illness. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Outreach counselor vs residential counselor overview

Outreach CounselorResidential Counselor
Yearly salary$45,946$34,117
Hourly rate$22.09$16.40
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs77,65981,287
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

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 residential counselor do?

A residential counselor is responsible for guiding and providing the residents with their basic needs and other resources to support them in their daily living. Residential counselors' duties include maintaining the safety of the community by enforcing safety guidelines and procedures for the residents' compliance, organizing productive and engaging community activities, updating the residents of any changes and policies in the community, and resolving conflicts by counseling and understanding each resident's differences. A residential counselor must have excellent communication and decision-making skills to ensure the development of residents in a living facility.

Outreach counselor vs residential counselor salary

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

Outreach CounselorResidential Counselor
Average salary$45,946$34,117
Salary rangeBetween $34,000 And $62,000Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying CitySalinas, CASeattle, WA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyBristol Community CollegeThe Evergreens
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between outreach counselor and residential counselor education

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

Outreach CounselorResidential Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Outreach counselor vs residential counselor demographics

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

Outreach CounselorResidential Counselor
Average age4241
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, 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 outreach counselor and residential 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.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
  • Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
  • Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
  • Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.
  • Show more

Outreach counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common outreach counselor skills
  • Social Work, 15%
  • Rehabilitation, 7%
  • Mental Illness, 6%
  • Community Agencies, 6%
  • Outreach Program, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
Common residential counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 9%
  • Medication Administration, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%

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