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The differences between student support counselors and peer counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student support counselor has an average salary of $41,329, which is higher than the $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.
The top three skills for a student support counselor include student support, mental health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.
| Student Support Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $41,329 | $37,464 |
| Hourly rate | $19.87 | $18.01 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 134,839 | 76,608 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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.
Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.
Student support counselors and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Student Support Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Average salary | $41,329 | $37,464 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $57,000 | Between $24,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Teaneck, NJ | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Mercy College | The Brooklyn Hospital Center |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a student support counselor and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:
| Student Support Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 63% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between student support counselors' and peer counselors' demographics:
| Student Support Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| 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% |