Post job

Student worker vs student advisor

The differences between student workers and student advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a student advisor has an average salary of $41,418, which is higher than the $25,735 average annual salary of a student worker.

The top three skills for a student worker include customer service, front desk and twitter. The most important skills for a student advisor are customer service, student services, and international student.

Student worker vs student advisor overview

Student WorkerStudent Advisor
Yearly salary$25,735$41,418
Hourly rate$12.37$19.91
Growth rate9%10%
Number of jobs82,35356,492
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4242
Years of experience4-

What does a student worker do?

Student workers are students who are employed while also enrolled at the university. They usually work in a department or college where they handle different tasks. Most of the time, student workers are assigned to do administrative activities. Their tasks include sorting mail, sending outgoing mail, manning telephone lines, filing documents, updating records, liaising with other departments, and documenting meetings, among others. Student-workers may also be assigned to handle or assist in university-wide events and activities. They are expected to be technologically savvy so that they can really help out in the department they are assigned to. Student-workers should be responsible, trustworthy, and diligent.

What does a student advisor do?

A student advisor is responsible for supporting the students' personal growth and development by guiding them on their learning processes and educational goals. Student advisors provide regular counseling for the students to analyze their career aspirations, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and strategize learning plans to address those difficulties. They also coordinate with the students' parents and guardians to report the students' progress and determine appropriate scholastic solutions. A student advisor must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially when handling students' different needs and concerns.

Student worker vs student advisor salary

Student workers and student advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student WorkerStudent Advisor
Average salary$25,735$41,418
Salary rangeBetween $19,000 And $34,000Between $31,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityAlbany, NYWashington, DC
Highest paying stateConnecticutConnecticut
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyThe American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between student worker and student advisor education

There are a few differences between a student worker and a student advisor in terms of educational background:

Student WorkerStudent Advisor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Student worker vs student advisor demographics

Here are the differences between student workers' and student advisors' demographics:

Student WorkerStudent Advisor
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 38.2% Female, 61.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%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 Percentage10%11%

Differences between student worker and student advisor duties and responsibilities

Student worker example responsibilities.

  • Manage club documents and advertise several events through Facebook.
  • Exhibit patient care CPR experience in CNA
  • Maintain neat appearance and cleanliness of the library.
  • Assist with maintaining the cleanliness of the dining room
  • Mow and edge lawns, using power mowers and weed eaters.
  • Provide excellent customer service while assisting students in completing online applications for FAFSA and admissions.
  • Show more

Student advisor example responsibilities.

  • Plan events, manage email and marketing advertisements via Facebook, answer phone calls.
  • Lead efforts facilitate recruitment and educational benefits for new and current student veterans at VCU.
  • Manage UAFS's F-1/J-1 student visa SEVIS compliance as DSO/ARO, ensuring all documentation is in order prior to students arriving.
  • Run training sessions and tutorials for students and faculty for the various services and programs offer by WestLaw.
  • Help veterans and/or their families with the G.I.
  • Specialize educator for students requiring RTI, IEP and gift services.
  • Show more

Student worker vs student advisor skills

Common student worker skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Front Desk, 11%
  • Twitter, 8%
  • Financial Aid, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Computer Lab, 4%
Common student advisor skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Student Services, 7%
  • International Student, 6%
  • Support Services, 5%
  • Financial Aid, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs