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The differences between program counselors and residence 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 program counselor and a residence counselor. Additionally, a program counselor has an average salary of $43,820, which is higher than the $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.
The top three skills for a program counselor include developmental disabilities, patients and community integration. The most important skills for a residence counselor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and community resources.
| Program Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $43,820 | $34,931 |
| Hourly rate | $21.07 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 133,491 | 78,872 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Program Counselor is an essential part of a school's faculty. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure that students are benefiting from the school's educational curriculum. This person is also tasked to help students resolve issues and problems that may hinder any educational progress. They are also part of the disciplinary team intended to instill good morals, ethics, and decency in students. The Program Counselor is one of the teacher or professor who has expertise or has a high educational degree in a particular subject or field.
Residence counselors are professionals who are responsible for providing services such as one-to-one therapy and crisis support to clients who are living in group homes or assisted-living facilities. These counselors must assist adults with moderate intellectual disabilities to find employment while monitoring their work performance. They must facilitate and supervise daily personal care and activities for developmentally disabled adults. Residence counselors must also encourage clients to participate in community activities that can contribute to the development of skills necessary for independent living.
Program counselors and residence counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Program Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average salary | $43,820 | $34,931 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $58,000 | Between $28,000 And $43,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Phoenix, AZ |
| Highest paying state | New York | Washington |
| Best paying company | Russell Sage College | McLean Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a program counselor and a residence counselor in terms of educational background:
| Program Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 57% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between program counselors' and residence counselors' demographics:
| Program Counselor | Residence Counselor | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1% | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 15% | 15% |