Post job

Probation counselor vs treatment specialist

The differences between probation counselors and treatment specialists 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 counselor and a treatment specialist. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, which is higher than the $49,192 average annual salary of a probation counselor.

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

Probation counselor vs treatment specialist overview

Probation CounselorTreatment Specialist
Yearly salary$49,192$53,673
Hourly rate$23.65$25.80
Growth rate--
Number of jobs29,51867,604
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Probation counselor vs treatment specialist salary

Probation counselors and treatment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Probation CounselorTreatment Specialist
Average salary$49,192$53,673
Salary rangeBetween $35,000 And $68,000Between $34,000 And $82,000
Highest paying City-Washington, DC
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Delaware State Government
Best paying industry-Non Profits

Differences between probation counselor and treatment specialist education

There are a few differences between a probation counselor and a treatment specialist in terms of educational background:

Probation CounselorTreatment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 72%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Probation counselor vs treatment specialist demographics

Here are the differences between probation counselors' and treatment specialists' demographics:

Probation CounselorTreatment Specialist
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 39.7% Female, 60.3%Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage10%10%

Differences between probation counselor and treatment specialist duties and responsibilities

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.

Treatment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
  • Med aid, CPR, and a certified.
  • Med train, CPR certify.
  • Provide administrative oversight to several projects, including a provider incentive program and the drafting of the Medicaid request for qualifications.
  • Work with students within the classroom and develop interventions to increase progress towards IEP goals.
  • Retain proper certifications for cardio-pulmonary resuscitation, first aid, driver's license and insurance.

Probation counselor vs treatment specialist skills

Common probation counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 15%
  • Intake Interviews, 7%
  • Substance Abuse Issues, 7%
  • Court Orders, 6%
  • Residential Facility, 6%
  • Community Services, 5%
Common treatment specialist skills
  • Social Work, 18%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Criminal Justice, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%

Browse community and social services jobs