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Peer counselor vs elementary school counselor

The differences between peer counselors and elementary school counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a peer counselor has an average salary of $37,464, which is higher than the $34,984 average annual salary of an elementary school counselor.

The top three skills for a peer counselor include peer support, substance abuse and wic program. The most important skills for an elementary school counselor are social work, professional development, and crisis intervention.

Peer counselor vs elementary school counselor overview

Peer CounselorElementary School Counselor
Yearly salary$37,464$34,984
Hourly rate$18.01$16.82
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs76,60892,184
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a peer counselor do?

Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.

What does an elementary school counselor do?

An elementary school counselor is primarily in charge of providing support and counseling to students as they navigate through their academic, social, and personal lives. Their responsibilities typically revolve around developing and executing programs for students' welfare, conducting student evaluations and interviews, mediating on various issues, and assisting students in preparing and processing scholarship applications. Furthermore, there are instances when an elementary school counselor must refer students and parents to social services and conduct interventions when necessary. Should there be any signs of abuse or neglect, It is essential to report to the authorities right away.

Peer counselor vs elementary school counselor salary

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

Peer CounselorElementary School Counselor
Average salary$37,464$34,984
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $57,000Between $18,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityHayward, CADaly City, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyThe Brooklyn Hospital CenterSuccess Academy Charter Schools
Best paying industryEducation-

Differences between peer counselor and elementary school counselor education

There are a few differences between a peer counselor and an elementary school counselor in terms of educational background:

Peer CounselorElementary School Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Peer counselor vs elementary school counselor demographics

Here are the differences between peer counselors' and elementary school counselors' demographics:

Peer CounselorElementary School Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 33.0% Female, 67.0%Male, 25.0% Female, 75.0%
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, 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 peer counselor and elementary school counselor duties and responsibilities

Peer counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Refer clients (as needed) to inpatient or outpatient substance abuse rehabilitation programs and assist them in qualifying for services.
  • Formulate and edit nutrition education materials and monthly newsletters for WIC participants.
  • Counsele and enroll people in ACA and ABE.
  • Work with multiple groups of undergraduate students to improve GPA's.
  • Present information via PowerPoint and hand-outs to students on the dangers of poor credit decisions.
  • Show more

Elementary school counselor example responsibilities.

  • Select to serve as the tier 2 PBIS coach and serve on district PBIS tier 1 team.
  • Train entire staff on PBIS theories, data and methodology.
  • Prepare and present Microsoft PowerPoint presentation on treating the grief and loss issues of incarcerate students.
  • Prepare and deliver PowerPoint presentations.
  • Serve as administrative representative for IEP meetings.
  • Participate and collaborate with administrators about RTI design and implementation.
  • Show more

Peer counselor vs elementary school counselor skills

Common peer counselor skills
  • Peer Support, 14%
  • Substance Abuse, 9%
  • WIC Program, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 6%
Common elementary school counselor skills
  • Social Work, 14%
  • Professional Development, 9%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Math, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Kids, 5%

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