Social services counselor vs social worker

The differences between social services counselors and 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 social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, 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 social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Social services counselor vs social worker overview

	Social Services Counselor	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$45,514	$50,102
Hourly rate	$21.88	$24.09
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	151,229	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	2

What does a social services counselor do?

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.

What does a social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Social services counselor vs social worker salary

Social services counselors and social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Social Services Counselor	Social Worker
Average salary	$45,514	$50,102
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $65,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	Trenton, NJ	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Oregon
Best paying company	Mission Regional Medical Center	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Education	Government

Differences between social services counselor and social worker education

There are a few differences between a social services counselor and a social worker in terms of educational background:

	Social Services Counselor	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 63%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	Boston University	University of Pennsylvania

Social services counselor vs social worker demographics

Here are the differences between social services counselors' and social workers' demographics:

	Social Services Counselor	Social Worker
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 26.6% Female, 73.4%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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%

Differences between social services counselor and social worker duties and responsibilities

Social services counselor example responsibilities.

Case manage in-district and out-of-district students with emotional disabilities, autism, other health impair and physical disabilities.
Serve as liaison/advocate between patients and/or families/caregivers and community agencies, other companies as deemed need.
Develop and write the IRP with the client and Treatment/rehabilitation team.
Administer first aid/ CPR as well as handled emergency situations when necessary in the aquatics area and the workout facility.
Escort residents to appointments to train in community integration and other relate rehabilitation services.
Provide individual, group and family therapy to patients and their families in an acute-care crisis stabilization psychiatric hospital.

Social worker example responsibilities.

Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.

Social services counselor vs social worker skills

Common social services counselor skills

Social Work, 38%
Patients, 12%
Social Services, 6%
Financial Assistance, 6%
Scheduling Appointments, 4%
Direct Services, 3%

Common social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Social Services Counselor
Social Services Counselor vs Social Worker

Updated January 8, 2025

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