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Probation officer vs probation counselor

The differences between probation 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 officer and a probation counselor. Additionally, a probation counselor has an average salary of $49,192, which is higher than the $47,252 average annual salary of a probation officer.

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

Probation officer vs probation counselor overview

Probation OfficerProbation Counselor
Yearly salary$47,252$49,192
Hourly rate$22.72$23.65
Growth rate--
Number of jobs55,95229,518
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Average age4444
Years of experience44

Probation officer vs probation counselor salary

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

Probation OfficerProbation Counselor
Average salary$47,252$49,192
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $69,000Between $35,000 And $68,000
Highest paying CitySan Jose, CA-
Highest paying stateNevada-
Best paying companyHamilton-
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between probation officer and probation counselor education

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

Probation OfficerProbation Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 73%Bachelor's Degree, 72%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Probation officer vs probation counselor demographics

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

Probation OfficerProbation Counselor
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 45.4% Female, 54.6%Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 2.2% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between probation officer and probation counselor duties and responsibilities

Probation officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage significant DUI caseload to court-ordered and conditional probation completion.
  • Create comprehensive case plans that identify needs of offenders in order to facilitate public safety and rehabilitation of the offender.
  • Promote positive changes in offender behavior that have been release from TDCJ to pursue their sentence.
  • Assist in the screening and selection of GPS offenders that are release from custody as a condition of bond.
  • Clerk probate, guardianship, commitment and juvenile, prepare minutes, schedule hearings and draft legal documents and correspondence.
  • Complete pre-sentence interviews and investigations.
    • Show more

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 officer vs probation counselor skills

Common probation officer skills
  • Criminal Justice, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Juvenile Offenders, 6%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Court Orders, 5%
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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Updated January 8, 2025

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