Primary counselor vs youth counselor

The differences between primary counselors and youth 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 youth counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a primary counselor has an average salary of $44,580, which is higher than the $36,754 average annual salary of a youth counselor.

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

Primary counselor vs youth counselor overview

	Primary Counselor	Youth Counselor
Yearly salary	$44,580	$36,754
Hourly rate	$21.43	$17.67
Growth rate	9%	12%
Number of jobs	65,753	78,461
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	39	41
Years of experience	6	4

Primary counselor vs youth counselor salary

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

	Primary Counselor	Youth Counselor
Average salary	$44,580	$36,754
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $63,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	New York State Restaurant Association
Best paying industry	-	Professional

Differences between primary counselor and youth counselor education

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

	Primary Counselor	Youth Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 58%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
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 youth counselor demographics

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

	Primary Counselor	Youth Counselor
Average age	39	41
Gender ratio	Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5%	Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
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, 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 youth 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.

Youth counselor example responsibilities.

Instruct students in course work including: reading, writing, mathematics, behavior modification, and social skills.
Train in physical restraint, conflict resolution, first aide, CPR, blood borne pathogen management and universal precautions.
Complete functional assessment evaluations of residents and write individualized rehabilitation goals that encourage community integration.
Monitor behavior, safety and location of juvenile residents that are court mandate, psychological/behavioral disorders, physical disabilities and autism.
Maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation in all back-of-house areas and customer areas.
Supervise teens on maintaining cleanliness of cottage, individual rooms and their individual appearance.

Primary counselor vs youth 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 youth counselor skills

Direct Care, 8%
Mental Health, 8%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
CPR, 7%
Social Work, 7%
Necessary Paperwork, 6%