Primary counselor vs program counselor

The differences between primary counselors and program counselors 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 program counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a primary counselor has an average salary of $44,580, which is higher than the $43,820 average annual salary of a program counselor.

The top three skills for a primary counselor include group therapy sessions, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Primary counselor vs program counselor overview

	Primary Counselor	Program Counselor
Yearly salary	$44,580	$43,820
Hourly rate	$21.43	$21.07
Growth rate	9%	10%
Number of jobs	65,753	133,491
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	6	4

Primary counselor vs program counselor salary

Primary counselors and program counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Primary Counselor	Program Counselor
Average salary	$44,580	$43,820
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	-	New York, NY
Highest paying state	-	New York
Best paying company	-	Russell Sage College
Best paying industry	-	Health Care

Differences between primary counselor and program counselor education

There are a few differences between a primary counselor and a program counselor in terms of educational background:

	Primary Counselor	Program Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
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 program counselor demographics

Here are the differences between primary counselors' and program counselors' demographics:

	Primary Counselor	Program Counselor
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
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, 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	12%	15%

Differences between primary counselor and program counselor 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.

Program counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.

Primary counselor vs program counselor 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 program counselor skills

Developmental Disabilities, 11%
Patients, 11%
Community Integration, 9%
CPR, 8%
Social Work, 8%
Medication Administration, 7%