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The differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors and mental health therapists 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 a mental health therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health therapist has an average salary of $50,259, 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 a mental health therapist are social work, patients, and mental health.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | Mental Health Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $45,871 | $50,259 |
| Hourly rate | $22.05 | $24.16 |
| Growth rate | 11% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 78,174 | 114,386 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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.
The job of mental health therapists is to guide individuals, groups, couples, and families with problems that are impacting their well-being and mental health. Their duties and responsibilities include encouraging clients to talk about their experiences, examining issues that may affect mental health such as substance abuse and bullying, and assisting clients in defining their goals and action plans. Mental health therapists are also responsible for developing therapeutic processes, referring clients to other services or resources like psychologists, and helping them adjust to life changes.
Vocational rehabilitation counselors and mental health therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | Mental Health Therapist | |
| Average salary | $45,871 | $50,259 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $62,000 | Between $35,000 And $70,000 |
| Highest paying City | Williston, ND | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Connecticut |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Tykes And Teens |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a vocational rehabilitation counselor and a mental health therapist in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | Mental Health Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Social Work |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between vocational rehabilitation counselors' and mental health therapists' demographics:
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor | Mental Health Therapist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.4% Female, 70.6% | Male, 23.3% Female, 76.7% |
| 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, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 21% | 15% |