Vocational counselor vs education counselor

The differences between vocational counselors and education counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an education counselor has an average salary of $45,465, which is higher than the $39,135 average annual salary of a vocational counselor.

The top three skills for a vocational counselor include rehabilitation, social work and mental health. The most important skills for an education counselor are mental health, crisis intervention, and financial aid.

Vocational counselor vs education counselor overview

	Vocational Counselor	Education Counselor
Yearly salary	$39,135	$45,465
Hourly rate	$18.81	$21.86
Growth rate	10%	10%
Number of jobs	77,189	40,323
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

What does a vocational counselor do?

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.

What does an education counselor do?

The work of education counselors revolves around giving students advice about their course choice, career structuring, and supporting them in their school endeavors. They must have the empathy to help students adjust to their everyday struggles and personal conflicts. They often give students information about scholarship grants and help them apply. They organize seminars talking about alcohol consumption and smoking. Counselors also discuss strategies to improve school performance regarding overall counseling services.

Vocational counselor vs education counselor salary

Vocational counselors and education counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Vocational Counselor	Education Counselor
Average salary	$39,135	$45,465
Salary range	Between $30,000 And $50,000	Between $33,000 And $61,000
Highest paying City	Shasta, CA	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	California	California
Best paying company	Lower Eastside Service Center	Silicon Valley International School
Best paying industry	Education	Education

Differences between vocational counselor and education counselor education

There are a few differences between a vocational counselor and an education counselor in terms of educational background:

	Vocational Counselor	Education Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	University of Pennsylvania

Vocational counselor vs education counselor demographics

Here are the differences between vocational counselors' and education counselors' demographics:

	Vocational Counselor	Education Counselor
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	11%	11%

Differences between vocational counselor and education counselor duties and responsibilities

Vocational counselor example responsibilities.

Manage all program operation in accordance with HRA and industry regulations, agency policies, and HIPPA guidelines.
Direct vocational rehabilitation services to developmentally disable individuals.
Conduct eligibility determination process for applicants seeking vocational rehabilitation services.
Identify clients' transferable skills and aptitudes.
Help disabled veterans excel beyond their own expectations.
Convene individual participants to discuss and review DVE, IPE, and EP's.

Education counselor example responsibilities.

Provide consultation and in-service to teachers, administrators and parents regarding IEP's, guidance and counseling practices and programs.
Collaborate as member of IEP teams, with school and district representatives and families, to identify specific student needs areas.
Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
Participate in special education meetings as administrator, coordinate state testing and assist with RTI identifications.
Facilitate RTI process on caseload through identification, implementation, and through monitoring progress for further referrals for at-risk students.
Ensure client safety and provide necessary intervention toward adolescent teens admit into an inpatient drug and mental health treatment facility.

Vocational counselor vs education counselor skills

Common vocational counselor skills

Rehabilitation, 20%
Social Work, 12%
Mental Health, 7%
Community Resources, 7%
Substance Abuse, 6%
Vocational Assessments, 5%

Common education counselor skills

Mental Health, 11%
Crisis Intervention, 10%
Financial Aid, 6%
Behavioral Problems, 6%
Applied Behavior Analysis, 5%
Educational Programs, 5%

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Vocational Counselor
Vocational Counselor vs Education Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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