Trained counselor vs residential counselor

The differences between trained counselors and residential counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a trained counselor has an average salary of $37,061, which is higher than the $34,117 average annual salary of a residential counselor.

The top three skills for a trained counselor include mental health, group therapy and substance abuse. The most important skills for a residential counselor are direct care, medication administration, and mental health.

Trained counselor vs residential counselor overview

	Trained Counselor	Residential Counselor
Yearly salary	$37,061	$34,117
Hourly rate	$17.82	$16.40
Growth rate	10%	12%
Number of jobs	27,923	81,287
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	42	41
Years of experience	-	4

Trained counselor vs residential counselor salary

Trained counselors and residential counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Trained Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average salary	$37,061	$34,117
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $59,000	Between $27,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City	-	Seattle, WA
Highest paying state	-	Washington
Best paying company	-	The Evergreens
Best paying industry	-	Education

Differences between trained counselor and residential counselor education

There are a few differences between a trained counselor and a residential counselor in terms of educational background:

	Trained Counselor	Residential Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	Duke University	California State University - Long Beach

Trained counselor vs residential counselor demographics

Here are the differences between trained counselors' and residential counselors' demographics:

	Trained Counselor	Residential Counselor
Average age	42	41
Gender ratio	Male, 43.7% Female, 56.3%	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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	11%	15%

Differences between trained counselor and residential counselor duties and responsibilities

Trained counselor example responsibilities.

Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.
Participate in CPR class learning how to resuscitate people when they are choking or cannot breathe.
Work on the development of a web resource page of events which include community fairs and CPR training.
Develop and run behavior modification programming.
Display a superior talent for collaborating with other counselors and providing newly diagnose children with leadership and encouragement.
Manage the dispute resolution/litigation process; responding to and resolving threaten litigation; responding to subpoenas and regulatory inquiries and investigations.

Residential counselor example responsibilities.

Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
Engage, educate and empower participants to access community base resources in order to achieve greater self-determination, rehabilitation and recovery.
Train in AMAP, SCIP, and first aid procedures.
Assist residents with ADL, occasionally accompany to medical appointments, administer medications.
Refine an understanding of HIPAA and DMH programs.
Assist special needs students to reach their IEP and treatment plan goals in 1:1 and group settings.

Trained counselor vs residential counselor skills

Common trained counselor skills

Mental Health, 22%
Group Therapy, 13%
Substance Abuse, 6%
Intake Interviews, 5%
CIT, 5%
CPR, 5%

Common residential counselor skills

Direct Care, 9%
Medication Administration, 9%
Mental Health, 8%
Social Work, 7%
Developmental Disabilities, 6%
Mental Illness, 6%

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Trained Counselor
Trained Counselor vs Residential Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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