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Rehabilitation counselor vs education counselor

The differences between rehabilitation counselors and education counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an education counselor has an average salary of $45,465, which is higher than the $43,111 average annual salary of a rehabilitation counselor.

The top three skills for a rehabilitation counselor include rehabilitation, social work and mental health. The most important skills for an education counselor are mental health, crisis intervention, and financial aid.

Rehabilitation counselor vs education counselor overview

Rehabilitation CounselorEducation Counselor
Yearly salary$43,111$45,465
Hourly rate$20.73$21.86
Growth rate11%10%
Number of jobs77,22040,323
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4542
Years of experience12-

What does a rehabilitation counselor do?

Rehabilitation counselors are professional counselors who are responsible for helping individuals cope with their disabilities to live independently. These counselors are required to consult other professionals, family members, and individuals when developing a treatment plan based on the goals, strengths, limitations, and personal values of their clients. They must make connections with community support so that individuals with disabilities can avail of the types of services that are available. Rehabilitation counselors must also find employers and educate them in understanding the needs and abilities of disabled people.

What does an education counselor do?

The work of education counselors revolves around giving students advice about their course choice, career structuring, and supporting them in their school endeavors. They must have the empathy to help students adjust to their everyday struggles and personal conflicts. They often give students information about scholarship grants and help them apply. They organize seminars talking about alcohol consumption and smoking. Counselors also discuss strategies to improve school performance regarding overall counseling services.

Rehabilitation counselor vs education counselor salary

Rehabilitation counselors and education counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Rehabilitation CounselorEducation Counselor
Average salary$43,111$45,465
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $58,000Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying CityCleveland, OHSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateOhioCalifornia
Best paying companyNorth Shore HealthcareSilicon Valley International School
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between rehabilitation counselor and education counselor education

There are a few differences between a rehabilitation counselor and an education counselor in terms of educational background:

Rehabilitation CounselorEducation Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of WashingtonUniversity of Pennsylvania

Rehabilitation counselor vs education counselor demographics

Here are the differences between rehabilitation counselors' and education counselors' demographics:

Rehabilitation CounselorEducation Counselor
Average age4542
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%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 Percentage21%11%

Differences between rehabilitation counselor and education counselor duties and responsibilities

Rehabilitation counselor example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with institutions of higher learning and local organizations to help assign veterans achieve independent living and academic success.
  • Develop and manage multidisciplinary rehabilitation center.
  • Organize and implement individualized rehabilitation programs.
  • Supervise CRC and LMHC students for practicum and internships at site.
  • Provide individualized counseling to psychiatric patients, resulting in their social development.
  • Interview, evaluate interests/aptitudes and transferable skills in order to optimize occupational exploration and customize formal training programs.
  • Show more

Education counselor example responsibilities.

  • Provide consultation and in-service to teachers, administrators and parents regarding IEP's, guidance and counseling practices and programs.
  • Collaborate as member of IEP teams, with school and district representatives and families, to identify specific student needs areas.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Participate in special education meetings as administrator, coordinate state testing and assist with RTI identifications.
  • Facilitate RTI process on caseload through identification, implementation, and through monitoring progress for further referrals for at-risk students.
  • Ensure client safety and provide necessary intervention toward adolescent teens admit into an inpatient drug and mental health treatment facility.

Rehabilitation counselor vs education counselor skills

Common rehabilitation counselor skills
  • Rehabilitation, 23%
  • Social Work, 12%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Management System, 4%
  • Vocational Rehabilitation, 4%
Common education counselor skills
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • Financial Aid, 6%
  • Behavioral Problems, 6%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 5%
  • Educational Programs, 5%

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