Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between residence counselors and student support counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student support counselor has an average salary of $41,329, which is higher than the $34,931 average annual salary of a residence counselor.
The top three skills for a residence counselor include developmental disabilities, CPR and community resources. The most important skills for a student support counselor are student support, mental health, and crisis intervention.
| Residence Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $34,931 | $41,329 |
| Hourly rate | $16.79 | $19.87 |
| Growth rate | 36% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 78,872 | 134,839 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
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.
A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.
Residence counselors and student support counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Residence Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Average salary | $34,931 | $41,329 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $43,000 | Between $29,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Phoenix, AZ | Teaneck, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | McLean Hospital | Mercy College |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a residence counselor and a student support counselor in terms of educational background:
| Residence Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 63% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between residence counselors' and student support counselors' demographics:
| Residence Counselor | Student Support Counselor | |
| Average age | 41 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% |
| 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, 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 | 15% | 11% |