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The differences between social services counselors and rehabilitation counselors 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 rehabilitation counselor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a social services counselor has an average salary of $45,514, which is higher than the $43,111 average annual salary of a rehabilitation counselor.
The top three skills for a social services counselor include social work, patients and social services. The most important skills for a rehabilitation counselor are rehabilitation, social work, and mental health.
| Social Services Counselor | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,514 | $43,111 |
| Hourly rate | $21.88 | $20.73 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 11% |
| Number of jobs | 151,229 | 77,220 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
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.
Social services counselors and rehabilitation counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Social Services Counselor | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average salary | $45,514 | $43,111 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $65,000 | Between $31,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Trenton, NJ | Cleveland, OH |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Ohio |
| Best paying company | Mission Regional Medical Center | North Shore Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a social services counselor and a rehabilitation counselor in terms of educational background:
| Social Services Counselor | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Boston University | University of Washington |
Here are the differences between social services counselors' and rehabilitation counselors' demographics:
| Social Services Counselor | Rehabilitation Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4% | Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1% |
| 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, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 21% |