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Social worker vs service counselor

The differences between social workers and service 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 service counselor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a social worker has an average salary of $50,102, which is higher than the $35,402 average annual salary of a service counselor.

The top three skills for a social worker include social work, patients and patient care. The most important skills for a service counselor are social work, crisis intervention, and patients.

Social worker vs service counselor overview

Social WorkerService Counselor
Yearly salary$50,102$35,402
Hourly rate$24.09$17.02
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs77,34044,284
Job satisfaction4.5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4543
Years of experience212

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 service counselor do?

Service counselors provide guidance to couples, individuals, groups, and families who are going through issues that influence their well-being and mental health. They comprehensively approach their clients by utilizing a "wellness" model that focuses on and motivate the client's potentials. Their duties include inspiring clients to talk about their emotions and experiences, helping them determine their action plans and goals, as well as designing therapeutic methods. Also, they may refer their clients to other services or psychologists.

Social worker vs service counselor salary

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

Social WorkerService Counselor
Average salary$50,102$35,402
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $67,000Between $24,000 And $51,000
Highest paying CityPortland, ORUrban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying stateOregonHawaii
Best paying companyHealth AdvocatesGoogle
Best paying industryGovernmentEducation

Differences between social worker and service counselor education

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

Social WorkerService Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaSUNY at Binghamton

Social worker vs service counselor demographics

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

Social WorkerService Counselor
Average age4543
Gender ratioMale, 19.5% Female, 80.5%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage13%11%

Differences between social worker and service 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.
    • Show more

Service counselor example responsibilities.

  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Implement patient financial services department to assist patients and family members to ensure successful patient representation and expeditious benefit recovery.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

Social worker vs service counselor skills

Common social worker skills
  • Social Work, 30%
  • Patients, 15%
  • Patient Care, 5%
  • MSW, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Home Health, 4%
Common service counselor skills
  • Social Work, 16%
  • Crisis Intervention, 9%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Support Services, 6%
  • Social Services, 6%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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