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Residential advisor vs child care counselor

The differences between residential advisors and child care counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child care counselor has an average salary of $36,843, which is higher than the $33,593 average annual salary of a residential advisor.

The top three skills for a residential advisor include patrol, substance abuse and behavior management. The most important skills for a child care counselor are CPR, child care, and behavioral issues.

Residential advisor vs child care counselor overview

Residential AdvisorChild Care Counselor
Yearly salary$33,593$36,843
Hourly rate$16.15$17.71
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs47,150100,538
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age2642
Years of experience-4

What does a residential advisor do?

Residential advisors are responsible for coordinating activities in various residential buildings and facilities, such as group homes and dormitories. They perform various tasks that include ordering supplies, determining the need for maintenance and repair, and assigning rooms. Residential advisors may help residents with solving their problems or connect them to counseling services or resources. Also, they are responsible for providing first aid or seeking medical assistance in times of emergency, and mediating conflicts between residents. They are also expected to implement rules and regulations for the orderly and smooth operation of residential facilities.

What does a child care counselor do?

Child care counselors monitor the progress of children who have behavioral, physical, and mental issues in between counseling appointments. These counselors create daily schedules for children that include field trips, play dates, and learning plans to ensure that children get the most out of their days. They use their critical thinking skills, organizational skills, and interpersonal skills to deal with children diagnosed with psychological issues and to coordinate with their patients' families. Most of the cases they handle are the abuse, bullying, and past traumas of children.

Residential advisor vs child care counselor salary

Residential advisors and child care counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential AdvisorChild Care Counselor
Average salary$33,593$36,843
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityEdison, NJChicago, IL
Highest paying stateNorth DakotaNew Jersey
Best paying companyDynamic Educational Systems, Inc.Washington State University
Best paying industryManufacturingFinance

Differences between residential advisor and child care counselor education

There are a few differences between a residential advisor and a child care counselor in terms of educational background:

Residential AdvisorChild Care Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeHoward UniversitySUNY at Albany

Residential advisor vs child care counselor demographics

Here are the differences between residential advisors' and child care counselors' demographics:

Residential AdvisorChild Care Counselor
Average age2642
Gender ratioMale, 42.3% Female, 57.7%Male, 34.4% Female, 65.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.0% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 7.7% White, 57.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage13%10%

Differences between residential advisor and child care counselor duties and responsibilities

Residential advisor example responsibilities.

  • Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
  • Assist medical and clinical staff who cares for patients admit to a residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
  • Help with activities of daily life, such as groceries shopping.
  • Check mail, shopping for groceries and handling and maintaining individual's money.
  • Provide training and administer first aid and emergency medical procedures, such as CPR.
  • Lead staff member on cottage and assume cottage manager duties when RAS is not present.
  • Show more

Child care counselor example responsibilities.

  • Train in managing risk and restraining only when need, CPR, and first aid.
  • Remain non-denominational, open, flexible and ecumenical in service to patients while also providing additional resources from local spiritual communities.
  • Organize and lead regular youth and college bible studies, teaching about prayer and promoting spirituality.

Residential advisor vs child care counselor skills

Common residential advisor skills
  • Patrol, 10%
  • Substance Abuse, 8%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Independent Living, 5%
Common child care counselor skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Child Care, 20%
  • Behavioral Issues, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention Techniques, 8%
  • Direct Supervision, 6%
  • Mental Health, 5%

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