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Pastoral counselor vs family counselor

The differences between pastoral counselors and family counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pastoral counselor has an average salary of $44,254, which is higher than the $41,510 average annual salary of a family counselor.

The top three skills for a pastoral counselor include spiritual care, pastoral care and educational programs. The most important skills for a family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Pastoral counselor vs family counselor overview

Pastoral CounselorFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$44,254$41,510
Hourly rate$21.28$19.96
Growth rate10%14%
Number of jobs28,08493,253
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

Pastoral counselor vs family counselor salary

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

Pastoral CounselorFamily Counselor
Average salary$44,254$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $58,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyNorthwell HealthShirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between pastoral counselor and family counselor education

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

Pastoral CounselorFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorTheologyPsychology
Most common collegeBoston CollegeCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Pastoral counselor vs family counselor demographics

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

Pastoral CounselorFamily Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
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, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage11%6%

Differences between pastoral counselor and family 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.

Family 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 the clients in completing their DCF case plan, helping to remove any hindrances they may encounter.
  • Counsele and test patients who requesting confidential HIV testing services
  • Collaborate and coordinate patient care with resident/faculty physicians to provide appropriate levels of care to patients.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations to facilitate ongoing new student orientation, ensuring students understand rules and regulations.
  • Show more

Pastoral counselor vs family 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 family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%

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