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Pastoral counselor vs school counselor

The differences between pastoral counselors and school counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a school counselor has an average salary of $49,904, 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 a school counselor are mental health, community resources, and crisis intervention.

Pastoral counselor vs school counselor overview

Pastoral CounselorSchool Counselor
Yearly salary$44,254$49,904
Hourly rate$21.28$23.99
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs28,08491,275
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

Pastoral counselor vs school counselor salary

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

Pastoral CounselorSchool Counselor
Average salary$44,254$49,904
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $58,000Between $36,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CityPlymouth, MASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyNorthwell HealthThe Gow School
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between pastoral counselor and school counselor education

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

Pastoral CounselorSchool Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 45%Bachelor's Degree, 48%
Most common majorTheologySchool Counseling
Most common collegeBoston CollegeUniversity of Pennsylvania

Pastoral counselor vs school counselor demographics

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

Pastoral CounselorSchool Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 56.5% Female, 43.5%Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9%
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 school 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.

School counselor example responsibilities.

  • Manage open houses, recruitment, and conduct interviews for GED student enrollment.
  • Travel to professional conferences and to visit colleges and universities across the country for professional development.
  • Attend educational meetings (IEP, IST, CCT, etc . )
  • Create and implement FBA's.
  • Complete CPR training and other necessary training classes.
  • Communicate with DCF in regards to students as needed
  • Show more

Pastoral counselor vs school 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 school counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Community Resources, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Professional Development, 5%
  • Behavioral Issues, 4%
  • CPR, 4%

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