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The differences between peer counselors and residence 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 $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.
The top three skills for a peer counselor include peer support, substance abuse and wic program. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Peer Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $37,464 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $18.01 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 76,608 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
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.
Residence counselors are professionals who are responsible for providing services such as one-to-one therapy and crisis support to clients who are living in group homes or assisted-living facilities. These counselors must assist adults with moderate intellectual disabilities to find employment while monitoring their work performance. They must facilitate and supervise daily personal care and activities for developmentally disabled adults. Residence counselors must also encourage clients to participate in community activities that can contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent living.
Peer counselors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Peer Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $37,464 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $57,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | Hayward, CA | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | California | Washington |
| Best paying company | The Brooklyn Hospital Center | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a peer counselor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Peer Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 61% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between peer counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Peer Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 15% |