Probation and parole officer vs probation counselor

The differences between probation and parole officers and probation counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a probation and parole officer and a probation counselor. Additionally, a probation counselor has an average salary of $49,192, which is higher than the $46,271 average annual salary of a probation and parole officer.

The top three skills for a probation and parole officer include social work, criminal justice and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a probation counselor are mental health, intake interviews, and substance abuse issues.

Probation and parole officer vs probation counselor overview

	Probation And Parole Officer	Probation Counselor
Yearly salary	$46,271	$49,192
Hourly rate	$22.25	$23.65
Growth rate	-	-
Number of jobs	55,952	29,518
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age	44	44
Years of experience	4	4

Probation and parole officer vs probation counselor salary

Probation and parole officers and probation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Probation And Parole Officer	Probation Counselor
Average salary	$46,271	$49,192
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $69,000	Between $35,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Minot, ND	-
Highest paying state	California	-
Best paying company	State of North Dakota	-
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between probation and parole officer and probation counselor education

There are a few differences between a probation and parole officer and a probation counselor in terms of educational background:

	Probation And Parole Officer	Probation Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 76%	Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Criminal Justice
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Probation and parole officer vs probation counselor demographics

Here are the differences between probation and parole officers' and probation counselors' demographics:

	Probation And Parole Officer	Probation Counselor
Average age	44	44
Gender ratio	Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4%	Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%	Black or African American, 14.1% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.2% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	10%	10%

Differences between probation and parole officer and probation counselor duties and responsibilities

Probation and parole officer example responsibilities.

Interview probationers/parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining terms specify in their rehabilitation plans while maintaining documentation.
Monitor violent offenders place on both active and passive GPS restrictions throughout all of Delaware.
Utilize GPS tracking and alcohol monitoring devices to monitor offender compliance.
Develop and implement extensive case management plans to continue the rehabilitation process and work towards successful completion of probation.
Interview probationers/parolees regularly to evaluate their progress in accomplishing goals and maintaining terms specify in their rehabilitation plans while maintaining documentation.
Conduct DNA, drug, and alcohol testing on offenders and take appropriate action when tests results are positive.

Probation counselor example responsibilities.

Manage significant DUI caseload to court-ordered and conditional probation completion.
Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
Review referral history and other JJIS data for accuracy and conduct data collection for statistical purposes within establish rules.

Probation and parole officer vs probation counselor skills

Common probation and parole officer skills

Social Work, 23%
Criminal Justice, 12%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Mental Health, 5%
Community Resources, 4%
Field Supervision, 4%

Common probation counselor skills

Mental Health, 15%
Intake Interviews, 7%
Substance Abuse Issues, 7%
Court Orders, 6%
Residential Facility, 6%
Community Services, 5%

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Probation And Parole Officer
Probation And Parole Officer vs Probation Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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