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Social worker vs family counselor

The differences between social workers and family counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a social worker, becoming a family counselor takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, which is higher than the $41,510 average annual salary of a family counselor.

The top three skills for a social worker include social work, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a family counselor are social work, community resources, and POC.

Social worker vs family counselor overview

Social WorkerFamily Counselor
Yearly salary$50,102$41,510
Hourly rate$24.09$19.96
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs77,34093,253
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Average age4541
Years of experience24

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.

What does a family counselor do?

A Family Counselor treats married couples or family members in order to help them overcome mental or emotional problems. They provide effective treatment measures to help the family members resolve their issues.

Social worker vs family counselor salary

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

Social WorkerFamily Counselor
Average salary$50,102$41,510
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $67,000Between $27,000 And $62,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORNew York, NY
Highest paying stateOregonNew York
Best paying companyHealth AdvocatesShirley Ryan AbilityLab
Best paying industryGovernmentProfessional

Differences between social worker and family counselor education

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

Social WorkerFamily Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 56%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Social worker vs family counselor demographics

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

Social WorkerFamily Counselor
Average age4541
Gender ratioMale, 19.5% Female, 80.5%Male, 26.3% Female, 73.7%
Race ratioBlack 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%Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage13%6%

Differences between social worker and family counselor duties and responsibilities

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.
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Family counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Assist the clients in completing their DCF case plan, helping to remove any hindrances they may encounter.
  • Counsele and test patients who requesting confidential HIV testing services
  • Collaborate and coordinate patient care with resident/faculty physicians to provide appropriate levels of care to patients.
  • Receive and process referrals from DCF and community-base case managers for individuals suspect as substance abusers.
  • Utilize PowerPoint presentations to facilitate ongoing new student orientation, ensuring students understand rules and regulations.
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Social worker vs family counselor skills

Common social worker skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • MSW, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common family counselor skills
  • Social Work, 22%
  • Community Resources, 13%
  • POC, 7%
  • Family Support, 5%
  • Family Therapy, 5%
  • DOD, 4%

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