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Student success counselor vs guidance counselor

The differences between student success counselors and guidance counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a guidance counselor has an average salary of $48,154, which is higher than the $42,838 average annual salary of a student success counselor.

The top three skills for a student success counselor include social work, professional development and financial aid. The most important skills for a guidance counselor are crisis intervention, community resources, and mental health.

Student success counselor vs guidance counselor overview

Student Success CounselorGuidance Counselor
Yearly salary$42,838$48,154
Hourly rate$20.60$23.15
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs46,46675,740
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Average age4242
Years of experience--

What does a student success counselor do?

A student success counselor provides academic and career advice to students, typically in high school. They conduct interviews with students to identify and establish their educational goals, developing strategies to attain them. Their responsibilities also include performing research and analysis to find programs and services that fit the students' needs, liaising with internal and external parties, answering student inquiries and concerns, and monitoring the progress of all operations. Moreover, a student success counselor must build positive relationships with students, encouraging them to reach their goals.

What does a guidance counselor do?

The primary role of a Guidance Counselor is to help students develop skills for success, both in academics and social development. They also develop and implement educational and counseling plans with modern methods of teaching and mentoring.

Student success counselor vs guidance counselor salary

Student success counselors and guidance counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student Success CounselorGuidance Counselor
Average salary$42,838$48,154
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $60,000Between $36,000 And $64,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYSan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictPoly Prep Country Day School
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between student success counselor and guidance counselor education

There are a few differences between a student success counselor and a guidance counselor in terms of educational background:

Student Success CounselorGuidance Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologySchool Counseling
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Student success counselor vs guidance counselor demographics

Here are the differences between student success counselors' and guidance counselors' demographics:

Student Success CounselorGuidance Counselor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 32.2% Female, 67.8%Male, 31.3% Female, 68.7%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%11%

Differences between student success counselor and guidance counselor duties and responsibilities

Student success counselor example responsibilities.

  • Organize civic reflection discussions, manage tutoring schedules, tutor during mathematics workshops, and mentore for student success.
  • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
  • Instruct GED classes on math and English classes.
  • Obtain CPR training and license.
  • Tutor in English, mathematics and social studies.
  • Skil in FAFSA, scholarships and grant writing.
  • Show more

Guidance counselor example responsibilities.

  • Utilize Salesforce to manage advertising programs for business owners.
  • Administer TACHS, PSAT, and other statewide examinations.
  • Provide individual counseling to students upon their request, SST referrals, or that of a teacher.
  • Utilize RTI for curriculum design and to identify students in need of extra academic & behavioral support.
  • Contribute to IEP manifestation meetings with students-parents-teachers.
  • Complete student educational assessments for upcoming IEP meetings.
  • Show more

Student success counselor vs guidance counselor skills

Common student success counselor skills
  • Social Work, 15%
  • Professional Development, 10%
  • Financial Aid, 9%
  • Phone Calls, 9%
  • Student Services, 8%
  • Persistence, 5%
Common guidance counselor skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • Community Resources, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Financial Aid, 4%
  • Conflict Resolution, 4%

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