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The differences between vocational counselors and peer 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 $37,464 average annual salary of a peer counselor.
The top three skills for a vocational counselor include rehabilitation, social work and mental health. The most important skills for a peer counselor are peer support, substance abuse, and wic program.
| Vocational Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $39,135 | $37,464 |
| Hourly rate | $18.81 | $18.01 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 77,189 | 76,608 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| 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.
Typically working at schools, communities, or medical facilities, a peer counselor specializes in providing counseling to an individual or group of people, aiming to help them deal with and overcome crises. Their duties often include conducting initial assessments through interviews and appointments, listening to clients and offering advice, recommending opportunities, referring them to other support agencies, and coordinating treatment services as needed. Above all, a peer counselor must provide emotional support and guidance to clients, giving them comfort and a shoulder to lean on.
Vocational counselors and peer counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Average salary | $39,135 | $37,464 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $50,000 | Between $24,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Shasta, CA | Hayward, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Lower Eastside Service Center | The Brooklyn Hospital Center |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a vocational counselor and a peer counselor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between vocational counselors' and peer counselors' demographics:
| Vocational Counselor | Peer Counselor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.8% Female, 70.2% | 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, 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% |