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The differences between student support counselors and academic counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an academic counselor has an average salary of $47,454, which is higher than the $41,329 average annual salary of a student support counselor.
The top three skills for a student support counselor include student support, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for an academic counselor are financial aid, academic support, and student services.
| Student Support Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $41,329 | $47,454 |
| Hourly rate | $19.87 | $22.81 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 134,839 | 39,084 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.
In high schools and universities, an academic counselor specializes in providing counseling and consultations to students, focusing on their educational and career growth. They typically meet with students to discuss their short and long term goals and help by providing them with insights and information or referring them to other services and resources. Moreover, an academic counselor must assist students by addressing their issues and concerns, giving them emotional support and academic advice, and helping them navigate through various procedures.
Student support counselors and academic counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Student Support Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Average salary | $41,329 | $47,454 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $35,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Teaneck, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Virginia |
| Best paying company | Mercy College | California College of the Arts |
| Best paying industry | Education | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a student support counselor and an academic counselor in terms of educational background:
| Student Support Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between student support counselors' and academic counselors' demographics:
| Student Support Counselor | Academic Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% | Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6% |
| 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% |