Student services counselor vs employment counselor

The differences between student services counselors and employment counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an employment counselor has an average salary of $43,848, 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 an employment counselor are litigation, employment law, and HR.

Student services counselor vs employment counselor overview

	Student Services Counselor	Employment Counselor
Yearly salary	$41,175	$43,848
Hourly rate	$19.80	$21.08
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	104,698	29,459
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
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 an employment counselor do?

The employment counselor is someone who guides and advises people on how to choose, manage and continue in a career path they've chosen. The employment counselor educates people on each career's pros and cons, giving them insights into what to expect, salary rates, and employment chances in a particular profession. The employment counselor will also show how to excel in a specific career, offer ideas on what training or seminar to attend and what skills to enhance to achieve an edge over others.

Student services counselor vs employment counselor salary

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

	Student Services Counselor	Employment Counselor
Average salary	$41,175	$43,848
Salary range	Between $27,000 And $60,000	Between $26,000 And $71,000
Highest paying City	Boston, MA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	California
Best paying company	Kern Community College District	Apple
Best paying industry	Government	Professional

Differences between student services counselor and employment counselor education

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

	Student Services Counselor	Employment Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common major	Business	Psychology
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	University of Pennsylvania

Student services counselor vs employment counselor demographics

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

	Student Services Counselor	Employment Counselor
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%	Male, 37.1% Female, 62.9%
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 employment 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.

Employment counselor example responsibilities.

Complete reports, manage client files and process WIA billing invoices for tuition and supplies.
Manage a caseload of Calworks participants in working towards the goal of self-sufficiency and employment.
Monitor caseworkers to ensure rehabilitation services are properly coordinate to aid clients in achieving self-sufficiency.
Source, develop, and implement HRIS systems.
Provide case management to TANF recipients that move clients to employment.
Document in accordance with JCAHO, Medicaid, and all quality improvement standards.

Student services counselor vs employment 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 employment counselor skills

Litigation, 16%
Employment Law, 14%
HR, 10%
Employment Litigation, 6%
FLSA, 5%
Training Programs, 4%

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Student Services Counselor
Student Services Counselor vs Employment Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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