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The differences between outreach counselors and substance abuse 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 $43,069 average annual salary of a substance abuse counselor.
The top three skills for an outreach counselor include social work, rehabilitation and mental illness. The most important skills for a substance abuse counselor are patients, substance abuse treatment, and social work.
| Outreach Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,946 | $43,069 |
| Hourly rate | $22.09 | $20.71 |
| Growth rate | 10% | - |
| Number of jobs | 77,659 | 78,643 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Years of experience | - | 6 |
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.
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
Outreach counselors and substance abuse counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Outreach Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average salary | $45,946 | $43,069 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $62,000 | Between $27,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salinas, CA | Trenton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | California | New Hampshire |
| Best paying company | Bristol Community College | Erlanger Health System |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between an outreach counselor and a substance abuse counselor in terms of educational background:
| Outreach Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between outreach counselors' and substance abuse counselors' demographics:
| Outreach Counselor | Substance Abuse Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 12% |