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Volunteer counselor vs program counselor

The differences between volunteer counselors and program counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a program counselor has an average salary of $43,820, which is higher than the $32,156 average annual salary of a volunteer counselor.

The top three skills for a volunteer counselor include crisis intervention, mental health and substance abuse. The most important skills for a program counselor are developmental disabilities, patients, and community integration.

Volunteer counselor vs program counselor overview

Volunteer CounselorProgram Counselor
Yearly salary$32,156$43,820
Hourly rate$15.46$21.07
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs76,594133,491
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4241
Years of experience-4

Volunteer counselor vs program counselor salary

Volunteer counselors and program counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Volunteer CounselorProgram Counselor
Average salary$32,156$43,820
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $41,000Between $33,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City-New York, NY
Highest paying state-New York
Best paying company-Russell Sage College
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between volunteer counselor and program counselor education

There are a few differences between a volunteer counselor and a program counselor in terms of educational background:

Volunteer CounselorProgram Counselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeColumbia University in the City of New YorkCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Volunteer counselor vs program counselor demographics

Here are the differences between volunteer counselors' and program counselors' demographics:

Volunteer CounselorProgram Counselor
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 34.8% Female, 65.2%Male, 35.9% Female, 64.1%
Race ratioBlack 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%15%

Differences between volunteer counselor and program counselor duties and responsibilities

Volunteer counselor example responsibilities.

  • Conduct group check-in and co-lead group psychotherapy sessions to help clients identify and manage problems associate with psychiatric conditions.
  • Counsele inmates and teach bible principles.
  • Inform the client about the parenting, bible study, and relationship classes.
  • Help to develop handouts, job lists and PowerPoint presentations on specific jobs and general job-seeking topics.
  • Help develop leadership skills while monitoring, encouraging and rewarding outstanding academic performance.
  • Practice leadership skills in a consensus-base, staff-run agency including but not limit to facilitating group discussions and writing agency policies.
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Program counselor example responsibilities.

  • Lead recreational activities for adolescents with ADHD and other behavior disorders.
  • Provide education, within hospital setting, to adolescent psychiatric patients regarding substance abuse and dependency issues.
  • Receive CPR and first aid certifications.
  • Attend and receive CPR and basic restraint technique certifications.
  • Assist each client with compassion to encourage them on their journey to recovery.
  • Encourage and mentore residents during their recovery and rehabilitation process.
  • Show more

Volunteer counselor vs program counselor skills

Common volunteer counselor skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 23%
  • Mental Health, 9%
  • Substance Abuse, 7%
  • Provide Emotional Support, 6%
  • Suicide Prevention, 6%
  • Emotional Support, 6%
Common program counselor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 11%
  • Patients, 11%
  • Community Integration, 9%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Medication Administration, 7%

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