Student services counselor vs career counselor

The differences between student services counselors and career counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a career counselor has an average salary of $44,870, which is higher than the $41,175 average annual salary of a student services counselor.

The top three skills for a student services counselor include customer service, financial aid and student services. The most important skills for a career counselor are career development, career services, and professional development.

Student services counselor vs career counselor overview

	Student Services Counselor	Career Counselor
Yearly salary	$41,175	$44,870
Hourly rate	$19.80	$21.57
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	104,698	42,035
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does a student services counselor do?

Student Services is a part of the school program that focuses on helping students in their studies. A Student Services Counselor handles this task and is the contact person for all students who need help or who have problems and issues requiring solutions and answers. In a culturally diverse population in schools, it is the student service counselor's job to connect each student to relevant student service programs available in the school. Ultimately, the welfare of the students and their success in school is the goal of this position.

What does a career counselor do?

A career counselor specializes in assisting clients in their career-related decisions. Utilizing their expertise in career development, they typically meet with clients to discuss their short-term and long-term goals, identify their needs and concerns, conduct different aptitude tests and examinations, organize skills assessment procedures, and provide strategies to improve or enhance their skills and abilities. Aside from providing consultations, a career counselor may also assist clients in processing and establishing their resumes, supporting them every step of the way.

Student services counselor vs career counselor salary

Student services counselors and career counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Student Services Counselor	Career Counselor
Average salary	$41,175	$44,870
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $60,000	Between $33,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	New Jersey
Best paying company	Kern Community College District	Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry	Government	Technology

Differences between student services counselor and career counselor education

There are a few differences between a student services counselor and a career counselor in terms of educational background:

	Student Services Counselor	Career Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Student services counselor vs career counselor demographics

Here are the differences between student services counselors' and career counselors' demographics:

	Student Services Counselor	Career Counselor
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%	Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between student services counselor and career counselor duties and responsibilities

Student services counselor example responsibilities.

Assist in all aspects of the FAFSA, insuring that every eligible student apply accurately.
Verify FAFSA applications for accuracy.
Plan retention and recruitment opportunities for students, prospective employers and alumni through interdepartmental and professional cooperative efforts.
Create, construct and maintain a student info PowerPoint presentation.
Draft general email correspondence, introduction/thank you letters, excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint presentations.
Develop formal policies/procedures for daily operations such as program approvals/tracking, financial tracking systems, staff meetings and leadership opportunities.

Career counselor example responsibilities.

Monitor and manage IEP forms and certifications to adhere to program requirements.
Interpret PSAT results with parents and students through education workshop.
Coordinate transitioning veterans with community hiring facilities in the areas of their desire location.
Provide information to individuals on matters pertaining to social security, veterans administration, and uniform service health benefits program.
Provide testing, including TABE, Proveit and Oscar.
Develop new intake orientation and TABE testing process for prospective participants.

Student services counselor vs career counselor skills

Common student services counselor skills

Customer Service, 18%
Financial Aid, 11%
Student Services, 10%
Social Work, 7%
Rehabilitation, 7%
Mental Health, 4%

Common career counselor skills

Career Development, 12%
Career Services, 7%
Professional Development, 6%
Career Planning, 5%
Mental Health, 5%
Career Exploration, 5%

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Student Services Counselor
Student Services Counselor vs Career Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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