Primary counselor vs counselor/case manager

The differences between primary counselors and counselor/case managers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a primary counselor, becoming a counselor/case manager takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a primary counselor has an average salary of $44,580, which is higher than the $39,562 average annual salary of a counselor/case manager.

The top three skills for a primary counselor include group therapy sessions, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a counselor/case manager are crisis intervention, patients, and social work.

Primary counselor vs counselor/case manager overview

	Primary Counselor	Counselor/Case Manager
Yearly salary	$44,580	$39,562
Hourly rate	$21.43	$19.02
Growth rate	9%	12%
Number of jobs	65,753	88,285
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	39	43
Years of experience	6	12

Primary counselor vs counselor/case manager salary

Primary counselors and counselor/case managers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Counselor	Counselor/Case Manager
Average salary	$44,580	$39,562
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $32,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	Denver, CO
Highest paying state	-	Connecticut
Best paying company	-	Parkland Hospital
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between primary counselor and counselor/case manager education

There are a few differences between a primary counselor and a counselor/case manager in terms of educational background:

	Primary Counselor	Counselor/Case Manager
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Hunter College of the City University of New York	California State University - Long Beach

Primary counselor vs counselor/case manager demographics

Here are the differences between primary counselors' and counselor/case managers' demographics:

	Primary Counselor	Counselor/Case Manager
Average age	39	43
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 30.8% Female, 69.2%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.7% Asian, 6.7% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage	12%	11%

Differences between primary counselor and counselor/case manager duties and responsibilities

Primary counselor example responsibilities.

Coordinate individual client treatment plans to achieve individual and department rehabilitation goals.
Conduct intake screenings and assessment for treatment entry and appropriateness per ASAM criteria.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans base on patient needs and ASAM criteria.
Maintain accurate and complete chart documentation regarding patient attitude and progress in the rehabilitation process following program protocols.
Facilitate group activities, arrange for outside recovery-orient NA/AA meetings, and provide a safe environment for recovering patients.
Facilitate substance abuse group counseling sessions to assist patients in recognizing causal factors of substance abuse and in developing coping behaviors.

Counselor/case manager example responsibilities.

Manage the care of patients with tuberculosis (TB) during their hospitalization and their discharge follow-up care.
Provide individual therapy for addict patients with depression, bipolar, anxiety, attention deficit, antisocial/borderline/obsessive compulsive/narcissistic tendencies.
Collaborate with patients to develop individualize treatment plans and assist patients with updating their goals according to their progress.
Perform concurrent review to assure appropriateness of admission, inpatient/acute care, rehabilitation/SNF status, and discharge using establish InterQual guidelines.
Prepare documentation for HOPWA applications.

Primary counselor vs counselor/case manager skills

Common primary counselor skills

Group Therapy Sessions, 10%
Mental Health, 10%
Crisis Intervention, 10%
Patients, 8%
Intake Assessments, 8%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 8%

Common counselor/case manager skills

Crisis Intervention, 13%
Patients, 9%
Social Work, 8%
Mental Health, 7%
Intake Assessments, 6%
Substance Abuse Issues, 6%

Primary Counselor vs. similar jobs

Primary Counselor related careers

Primary Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Primary Counselor
Primary Counselor vs Counselor/Case Manager

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs