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The differences between social services counselors and licensed 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 social services counselor, becoming a licensed social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a licensed social worker has an average salary of $57,005, which is higher than the $45,514 average annual salary of a social services counselor.
The top three skills for a social services counselor include social work, patients and social services. The most important skills for a licensed social worker are social work, patients, and home health.
| Social Services Counselor | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $45,514 | $57,005 |
| Hourly rate | $21.88 | $27.41 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 151,229 | 66,130 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 2 |
Social service counselors provide a wide range of counselling such as psychological assessment, diagnosis, and therapy. They must evaluate patient data, do psychological tests, and apply their observations. They may also review clinical issues and programs. Typically, they work in institutions or private practices.
Licensed Social Workers are duly and legally recognized to carry out activities related to social work. They identify individuals or groups of people in need and assess what kind of help they require. They may assist these people in connecting to agencies that would cater to their needs. Licensed Social Workers also help people cope with their challenges. They are responsible for crafting treatment plans or well-being improvement plans for the individuals they help. They may also be called on during times of crisis to provide emotional support to the individuals involved.
Social services counselors and licensed social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Services Counselor | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Average salary | $45,514 | $57,005 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $65,000 | Between $41,000 And $78,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | Sacramento, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mission Regional Medical Center | Favorite Healthcare Staffing |
| Best paying industry | Education | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a social services counselor and a licensed social worker in terms of educational background:
| Social Services Counselor | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Social Work |
| Most common college | Boston University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between social services counselors' and licensed social workers' demographics:
| Social Services Counselor | Licensed Social Worker | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% | Male, 16.1% Female, 83.9% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 10% | 13% |