Post job

Pastoral counselor vs academic counselor

The differences between pastoral counselors and academic counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic counselor has an average salary of $47,454, which is higher than the $44,254 average annual salary of a pastoral counselor.

The top three skills for a pastoral counselor include spiritual care, pastoral care and educational programs. The most important skills for an academic counselor are financial aid, academic support, and student services.

Pastoral counselor vs academic counselor overview

Pastoral CounselorAcademic Counselor
Yearly salary$44,254$47,454
Hourly rate$21.28$22.81
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs28,08439,084
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Pastoral counselor vs academic counselor salary

Pastoral counselors and academic counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Pastoral CounselorAcademic Counselor
Average salary$44,254$47,454
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $58,000Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaVirginia
Best paying companyNorthwell HealthCalifornia College of the Arts
Best paying industryHealth CareNon Profits

Differences between pastoral counselor and academic counselor education

There are a few differences between a pastoral counselor and an academic counselor in terms of educational background:

Pastoral CounselorAcademic Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorTheologyBusiness
Most common collegeBoston CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania

Pastoral counselor vs academic counselor demographics

Here are the differences between pastoral counselors' and academic counselors' demographics:

Pastoral CounselorAcademic Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
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 pastoral counselor and academic counselor duties and responsibilities

Pastoral counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Assist members with reclaiming their lives from personal abuses.
  • Provide individual student planning to assist expulsion students in fulfilling their rehabilitation plan and re-entering the comprehensive school setting.
  • Plan activities for clients, which include motivational speakers, life-skills, budgeting, goal attainment and religious activities and etc.
  • Collaborate with peers in leadership capacity at recreational summer camp leading, coordinating and organizing daily activities and weekly field trips.

Academic counselor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
  • Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
  • Test PeopleSoft upgrades and provide suggestions.
  • Tutor introductory biology, chemistry, psychology and remedial mathematics.
  • Guide older students in navigating PeopleSoft application to access portal for online registrations.
  • Navigate the college process through the CUNY, SUNY, and common application.
  • Show more

Pastoral counselor vs academic counselor skills

Common pastoral counselor skills
  • Spiritual Care, 18%
  • Pastoral Care, 17%
  • Educational Programs, 14%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%
Common academic counselor skills
  • Financial Aid, 9%
  • Academic Support, 8%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Student Athletes, 5%
  • Academic Advisement, 5%

Browse community and social services jobs