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The differences between program advisors and school counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program advisor has an average salary of $55,656, which is higher than the $49,904 average annual salary of a school counselor.
The top three skills for a program advisor include customer service, persistence and intellectual disabilities. The most important skills for a school counselor are mental health, community resources, and crisis intervention.
| Program Advisor | School Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $55,656 | $49,904 |
| Hourly rate | $26.76 | $23.99 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 109,307 | 91,275 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A program advisor is in charge of overseeing programs from planning to execution, ensuring everything functions according to its goals and guidelines. Although their responsibilities depend on their line of work and industry of employment, it typically involves performing research and analysis to find new opportunities and determine ideal practices, gathering and analyzing client feedback, setting objectives, and developing strategies to carry out the purpose of every program, prioritizing optimal services. Moreover, a program advisor must monitor the progress of all operations, recommending solutions should any problems arise.
A school counselor is responsible for monitoring the students' social and personal development, advising them of their career aspirations, and assisting them with their academic achievements and goals. School counselors also ensure that the students receive the highest learning standards to pave their way towards society's advancement and global competitiveness. They evaluate students' behavior through personal counseling, understanding their challenges, and develop strategies to overcome their needs. A school counselor must have excellent communication and decision-making skills, supporting students with their goals, and honing their skills efficiently.
Program advisors and school counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Advisor | School Counselor | |
| Average salary | $55,656 | $49,904 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $96,000 | Between $36,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | The Gow School |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Education |
There are a few differences between a program advisor and a school counselor in terms of educational background:
| Program Advisor | School Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | School Counseling |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between program advisors' and school counselors' demographics:
| Program Advisor | School Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2% | Male, 26.1% Female, 73.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |