Work counselor vs student support counselor

The differences between work counselors and student support counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a work counselor has an average salary of $55,384, which is higher than the $41,329 average annual salary of a student support counselor.

The top three skills for a work counselor include social work, discharge planning and substance abuse. The most important skills for a student support counselor are student support, mental health, and crisis intervention.

Work counselor vs student support counselor overview

	Work Counselor	Student Support Counselor
Yearly salary	$55,384	$41,329
Hourly rate	$26.63	$19.87
Growth rate	11%	10%
Number of jobs	77,184	134,839
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Average age	45	42
Years of experience	12	-

What does a work counselor do?

A work counselor's responsibility is to know the employee's problems including stress, workplace depression, declining productivity, and anxiety, and help solve them by resolving negative patterns, rehabilitation, and prevention to improve quality of life. Such purpose is to reduce sickness absence and pressure. Part of their helping profession is to respect the employees' privacy by sharing information and opinions on resources that the client needs since they are not tasked to disclose information and give advice.

What does a student support counselor do?

A student support counselor is responsible for identifying the students' strengths and challenges through one-on-one counseling and establishing solutions to help them overcome difficulties and achieve their educational goals and aspirations. Student support counselors assist the faculty in determining appropriate programs and activities to develop the students' capabilities, especially as a way of preparing them with their career objectives. They also coordinate with the students' families for extended guidance and support for their growth and development.

Work counselor vs student support counselor salary

Work counselors and student support counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Work Counselor	Student Support Counselor
Average salary	$55,384	$41,329
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $66,000	Between $29,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City	Chicago, IL	Teaneck, NJ
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Massachusetts
Best paying company	The Travelers Companies	Mercy College
Best paying industry	Hospitality	Education

Differences between work counselor and student support counselor education

There are a few differences between a work counselor and a student support counselor in terms of educational background:

	Work Counselor	Student Support Counselor
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 56%	Bachelor's Degree, 63%
Most common major	Social Work	Psychology
Most common college	Columbia University in the City of New York	University of Pennsylvania

Work counselor vs student support counselor demographics

Here are the differences between work counselors' and student support counselors' demographics:

	Work Counselor	Student Support Counselor
Average age	45	42
Gender ratio	Male, 37.0% Female, 63.0%	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%
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, 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	21%	11%

Differences between work counselor and student support counselor duties and responsibilities

Work counselor example responsibilities.

Manage litigation involving the agency, and drafts bills and amendments for legislative consideration.
Complete FARS, PERFS, and ASAMS as required.
Train in OMRDD requirements such as S.K.I.P, compass one, first aid, and CPR
Work as an in-home counselor for high intensity children's cases.
Assist with life skills, behavior modification, medication, and when necessary restraints.
Translate IPP reports verbally and in writing in designate second language (Spanish).

Student support counselor example responsibilities.

Maintain confidentiality relating to treatment while keeping organize and up to date IEP's, and medical records file accordingly.
Attend IEP meetings of students on caseload and present to the IEP team a clinical progress report with counseling goals.
Work towards empowering juveniles and their families to support a positive lifestyle by providing strength base intensive intervention and rehabilitation services.
Provide behavior modification and social skills training to children and adolescents with ADHD and other behavioral and emotional disorders.

Work counselor vs student support counselor skills

Common work counselor skills

Social Work, 38%
Discharge Planning, 10%
Substance Abuse, 5%
Community Resources, 5%
Mental Health, 4%
Crisis Intervention, 4%

Common student support counselor skills

Student Support, 18%
Mental Health, 11%
Crisis Intervention, 7%
Professional Development, 6%
Behavioral Issues, 5%
Financial Aid, 4%

Work Counselor vs. similar jobs

Work Counselor related careers

Work Counselor related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Community and Social Services Industry
Work Counselor
Work Counselor vs Student Support Counselor

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs