Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs addictions counselor

The differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors and addictions counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a vocational rehabilitation counselor, becoming an addictions counselor takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, an addictions counselor has an average salary of $47,226, which is higher than the $45,871 average annual salary of a vocational rehabilitation counselor.

The top three skills for a vocational rehabilitation counselor include rehabilitation, substance abuse and transferable. The most important skills for an addictions counselor are patients, social work, and chemical dependency.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs addictions counselor overview

	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Yearly salary	$45,871	$47,226
Hourly rate	$22.05	$22.70
Growth rate	11%	12%
Number of jobs	78,174	79,459
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age	45	39
Years of experience	12	6

What does a vocational rehabilitation counselor do?

The primary role of a vocational rehabilitation counselor is to help disabled people to live fully and independently. Vocational rehabilitation counselors assist people with disabilities in securing employment. They provide health care to those who are coping with mental illness, substance abuse issues, psychological disorders, or physical disabilities. Knowledge of patient care, health management, rehabilitation program, and clinical psychology is a must for this job.

What does an addictions counselor do?

An Addictions Counselor helps patients overcome personal addiction problems, such as dependence on drugs, alcohol, and other substances. They evaluate the condition of their client through examining, asking questions, and recommending the proper treatment options.

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs addictions counselor salary

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

	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average salary	$45,871	$47,226
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $62,000	Between $32,000 And $68,000
Highest paying City	Williston, ND	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Pennsylvania
Best paying company	New York State Restaurant Association	Wellpath
Best paying industry	Non Profits	Non Profits

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and addictions counselor education

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

	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 57%	Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	Hunter College of the City University of New York

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs addictions counselor demographics

Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors' and addictions counselors' demographics:

	Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor	Addictions Counselor
Average age	45	39
Gender ratio	Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6%	Male, 35.4% Female, 64.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 2.9% White, 66.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	21%	12%

Differences between vocational rehabilitation counselor and addictions counselor duties and responsibilities

Vocational rehabilitation counselor example responsibilities.

Collaborate with institutions of higher learning and local organizations to help assign veterans achieve independent living and academic success.
Conduct vocational assessments, transferable skills analyses, labor market surveys; write r sum s and relate correspondence.
Conduct diagnosis interview, eligibility determination, review assessments, plan and implement individual plan for employment (IPE).
Determine eligibility for services and develop individualized rehabilitation programs.
Provide independent professional vocational rehabilitation counseling to individuals with disabilities.
Apply creative and professional conflict resolution strategies to ensure RTW plan success.

Addictions counselor example responsibilities.

Ensure and manage the compliance with Didi Hirsch policies and procedures, contracts and other regulatory agencies, HIPAA and DMH.
Develop treatment plans and recommend a level of care within ASAM and DSM-IV guidelines, and approve requirements.
Restore patients to productive roles by educating them about available community base organizations, and social and employment services.
Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
Provide drug, alcohol, and rehabilitation counseling and education in a residential therapeutic community for female drug offenders.
Serve as an advocate for family with private/public school-relate agencies (IEP meetings/education plans).

Vocational rehabilitation counselor vs addictions counselor skills

Common vocational rehabilitation counselor skills

Rehabilitation, 20%
Substance Abuse, 12%
Transferable, 8%
Plan Development, 7%
Vocational Assessments, 6%
Social Work, 6%

Common addictions counselor skills

Patients, 18%
Social Work, 12%
Chemical Dependency, 6%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Substance Abuse Treatment, 5%
Intake Assessments, 4%

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Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor vs Addictions Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

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