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Support staff vs student support counselor

The differences between desk clerks supervisors and student support 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 $31,772 average annual salary of a support staff.

The top three skills for a support staff include customer service, developmental disabilities and mental health. The most important skills for a student support counselor are student support, mental health, and crisis intervention.

Support staff vs student support counselor overview

Support StaffStudent Support Counselor
Yearly salary$31,772$41,329
Hourly rate$15.28$19.87
Growth rate36%10%
Number of jobs161,915134,839
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age4742
Years of experience6-

What does a support staff do?

School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.

What does a student support counselor do?

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.

Support staff vs student support counselor salary

Desk clerks supervisors and student support counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Support StaffStudent Support Counselor
Average salary$31,772$41,329
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $40,000Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySeattle, WATeaneck, NJ
Highest paying stateNew YorkMassachusetts
Best paying companyLakeland ElectricMercy College
Best paying industryFinanceEducation

Differences between support staff and student support counselor education

There are a few differences between a support staff and a student support counselor in terms of educational background:

Support StaffStudent Support Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 46%Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Support staff vs student support counselor demographics

Here are the differences between desk clerks supervisors' and student support counselors' demographics:

Support StaffStudent Support Counselor
Average age4742
Gender ratioMale, 31.2% Female, 68.8%Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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 Percentage8%11%

Differences between support staff and student support counselor duties and responsibilities

Support staff example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Provide companionship to the consumer.
  • Tutor students in various science courses, English and GED prep classes.
  • Maintain a safe, supportive and therapeutic environment which fosters growth and rehabilitation.
  • Work with students at various levels of mathematics knowledge within the same teaching environment.
  • Work with students who have graduated from the developmental mathematics program on more advance mathematics classes.
  • Show more

Student support counselor example responsibilities.

  • Maintain confidentiality relating to treatment while keeping organize and up to date IEP's, and medical records file accordingly.
  • Attend IEP meetings of students on caseload and present to the IEP team a clinical progress report with counseling goals.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

Support staff vs student support counselor skills

Common support staff skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Meal Preparation, 6%
  • Direct Care, 6%
  • Home Maintenance, 6%
Common student support counselor skills
  • Student Support, 18%
  • Mental Health, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Behavioral Issues, 5%
  • Financial Aid, 4%

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