Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between vocational counselors and counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a vocational counselor has an average salary of $39,135, which is higher than the $36,225 average annual salary of a counselor.
The top three skills for a vocational counselor include rehabilitation, social work and mental health. The most important skills for a counselor are patients, crisis intervention, and substance abuse.
| Vocational Counselor | Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,135 | $36,225 |
| Hourly rate | $18.81 | $17.42 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 77,189 | 77,536 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 2 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
People who have issues with getting employment or have certain disabilities require the help of a vocational counselor. This individual provides counseling, provides job plans for patients, and assists patients in achieving their employment goals so they can earn the income needed to live comfortably. They may be expected to help clients understand what they are capable of and using this, help develop their career goals. They provide the link between clients who are seeking employment and employers.
Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.
Vocational counselors and counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Counselor | Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,135 | $36,225 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $19,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Shasta, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Lower Eastside Service Center | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a vocational counselor and a counselor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Counselor | Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between vocational counselors' and counselors' demographics:
| Vocational Counselor | Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2% | Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5% |
| 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, 15.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 9% |