Primary counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between primary counselors and residential 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 residential counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a primary counselor has an average salary of $44,580, which is higher than the $34,117 average annual salary of a residential counselor.

The top three skills for a primary counselor include group therapy sessions, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Primary counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Primary Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$44,580	$34,117
Hourly rate	$21.43	$16.40
Growth rate	9%	12%
Number of jobs	65,753	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	6	4

Primary counselor vs residential counselor salary

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

	Primary Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$44,580	$34,117
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	The Evergreens
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between primary counselor and residential counselor education

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

	Primary Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
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 residential counselor demographics

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

	Primary Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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 residential 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.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.

Primary counselor vs residential 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 residential counselor skills

Direct Care, 9%
Medication Administration, 9%
Mental Health, 8%
Social Work, 7%
Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Mental Illness, 6%

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Primary Counselor
Primary Counselor vs Residential Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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