Program counselor vs social worker

The differences between program counselors and social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a program counselor, becoming a social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, which is higher than the $43,820 average annual salary of a program counselor.

The top three skills for a program counselor include developmental disabilities, patients and community integration. The most important skills for a social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Program counselor vs social worker overview

	Program Counselor	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$43,820	$50,102
Hourly rate	$21.07	$24.09
Growth rate	10%	9%
Number of jobs	133,491	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	41	45
Years of experience	4	2

What does a program counselor do?

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.

What does a social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Program counselor vs social worker salary

Program counselors and social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Program Counselor	Social Worker
Average salary	$43,820	$50,102
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $58,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	New York, NY	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	New York	Oregon
Best paying company	Russell Sage College	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Health Care	Government

Differences between program counselor and social worker education

There are a few differences between a program counselor and a social worker in terms of educational background:

	Program Counselor	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 60%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	University of Pennsylvania

Program counselor vs social worker demographics

Here are the differences between program counselors' and social workers' demographics:

	Program Counselor	Social Worker
Average age	41	45
Gender ratio	Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	15%	13%

Differences between program counselor and social worker duties and responsibilities

Program counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.

Show more

Social worker example responsibilities.

Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.

Show more

Program counselor vs social worker skills

Common program counselor skills

Developmental Disabilities, 11%
Patients, 11%
Community Integration, 9%
CPR, 8%
Social Work, 8%
Medication Administration, 7%

Common social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%

Program Counselor vs. similar jobs

Program Counselor related careers

Program Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z