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Unit counselor vs youth counselor

The differences between unit counselors and youth counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a unit counselor and a youth counselor. Additionally, a youth counselor has an average salary of $36,754, which is higher than the $36,585 average annual salary of a unit counselor.

The top three skills for a unit counselor include incident reports, mental health and substance abuse. The most important skills for a youth counselor are direct care, mental health, and crisis intervention.

Unit counselor vs youth counselor overview

Unit CounselorYouth Counselor
Yearly salary$36,585$36,754
Hourly rate$17.59$17.67
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs45,69378,461
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4141
Years of experience44

Unit counselor vs youth counselor salary

Unit counselors and youth counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Unit CounselorYouth Counselor
Average salary$36,585$36,754
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $71,000Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City-San Jose, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-New York State Restaurant Association
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between unit counselor and youth counselor education

There are a few differences between a unit counselor and a youth counselor in terms of educational background:

Unit CounselorYouth Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeDuke UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Unit counselor vs youth counselor demographics

Here are the differences between unit counselors' and youth counselors' demographics:

Unit CounselorYouth Counselor
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 31.9% Female, 68.1%Male, 43.8% Female, 56.2%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage15%15%

Differences between unit counselor and youth counselor duties and responsibilities

Unit counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead a successful group of kids by ensuring safety and behavioral expectations are met and providing structure and organize educational activities.
  • Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
  • Maintain therapeutic relationships with youth through effective teaching and coaching techniques to provide leadership and foster relationship building skills.

Youth counselor example responsibilities.

  • Instruct students in course work including: reading, writing, mathematics, behavior modification, and social skills.
  • Train in physical restraint, conflict resolution, first aide, CPR, blood borne pathogen management and universal precautions.
  • Complete functional assessment evaluations of residents and write individualized rehabilitation goals that encourage community integration.
  • Monitor behavior, safety and location of juvenile residents that are court mandate, psychological/behavioral disorders, physical disabilities and autism.
  • Maintain high standards of cleanliness and presentation in all back-of-house areas and customer areas.
  • Supervise teens on maintaining cleanliness of cottage, individual rooms and their individual appearance.
  • Show more

Unit counselor vs youth counselor skills

Common unit counselor skills
  • Incident Reports, 19%
  • Mental Health, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Conduct Orientation, 11%
  • CPI, 6%
  • Crisis Situations, 4%
Common youth counselor skills
  • Direct Care, 8%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Necessary Paperwork, 6%

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