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How much do crisis volunteer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for crisis volunteer in the United States is $19.14, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $20.19 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Crisis Volunteer vs Crisis Counselor?

AspectCrisis VolunteerCrisis Counselor
Required CredentialsNone or basic trainingRelevant certifications (e.g., LPC, LCSW)
Work EnvironmentHotlines, shelters, community centersCounseling sessions, mental health clinics
Employer & IndustryNonprofits, helplines, community organizationsHealthcare, mental health facilities
Common Search IntentVolunteer opportunities, how to help in crisesProfessional counseling roles, mental health support

While both Crisis Volunteers and Crisis Counselors work in crisis intervention, Crisis Volunteers typically provide immediate support through hotlines or community programs without requiring advanced credentials. Crisis Counselors, on the other hand, are trained mental health professionals offering ongoing counseling services. The roles differ mainly in training, responsibilities, and work settings, but both aim to assist individuals during emergencies.

What are crisis volunteers?

Crisis volunteers are trained individuals who provide immediate support and assistance to people experiencing emotional distress or crisis situations. They typically offer help via hotlines, text lines, or in-person support, listening to individuals and connecting them with appropriate resources. Crisis volunteers play a crucial role in de-escalating situations, offering comfort, and ensuring the safety of those in need. Their work can involve supporting people dealing with mental health issues, trauma, abuse, or other urgent challenges.

What are some common challenges Crisis Volunteers face during their shifts, and how can they prepare for them?

Crisis Volunteers often encounter emotionally intense situations where callers or texters are in distress, which can be both rewarding and challenging. Managing personal emotions, maintaining professional boundaries, and avoiding burnout are common hurdles. To prepare, volunteers are usually provided with comprehensive training in crisis intervention, active listening, and self-care practices. Support is available through team debriefings and supervisor guidance, and most organizations encourage volunteers to communicate openly about any difficulties they experience.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Crisis Volunteer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Crisis Volunteer, you need strong active listening, crisis intervention, and emotional support skills, often developed through specialized training or certification programs. Familiarity with crisis communication platforms, documentation systems, and mental health resources is typically required. Compassion, resilience, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills for effectively supporting people in distress. These competencies are vital to provide safe, empathetic, and effective assistance to individuals experiencing crises.
More about Crisis Volunteer jobs
What cities are hiring for Crisis Volunteer jobs? Cities with the most Crisis Volunteer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Crisis jobs? The most popular types of Crisis jobs are:
What states have the most Crisis Volunteer jobs? States with the most job openings for Crisis Volunteer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Crisis Volunteer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Crisis Volunteer jobs are:
Crisis Volunteer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Crisis Volunteer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 82% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,804 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Volunteer Crisis Line Counselor

Bayview Hunters Point Foundation

Los Angeles, CA • On-site

$23.50 - $30.50/hr

Part-time

Re-posted yesterday

Job description

Volunteer Crisis Line Counselor (Suicide Prevention Center)
We are now reviewing applications for our next class in May-June 2026.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Once a class is at capacity, any remaining applications will be automatically considered for the following training cycle.
Please check the calendar to view our subsequent 2026 training dates.
About Didi Hirsch
Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services has been a national leader in whole-person mental health, crisis care, and substance use services since 1942 and is home to the nation's first Suicide Prevention Center. We are a nonprofit organization providing care to about 270,000 people annually across our programs. Didi Hirsch has deep roots in community-based mental health and a commitment to providing culturally responsive services that are just and equitable. More than 1,000 dedicated employees and volunteers make Didi Hirsch's work possible.
Summary
Our Suicide Prevention Center needs your help to staff its 24/7 Crisis Line as a volunteer Crisis Counselor! This role is one of the most intensely rewarding ways to contribute to your community while helping to erase the stigma around suicide and mental health. As a volunteer, you will provide active listening and verbal support over the phone to individuals experiencing emotional distress or suicidal crisis. Volunteers take calls on the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline as well as other organization-specific and other contracted crisis lines, all of which offer support to people navigating thoughts of suicide, mental health struggles, grief, and other serious emotional challenges. Many of our volunteers are pursuing careers in the mental health field or considering a career change before applying to graduate school, while others are looking for something meaningful to do in their spare time. Some have been personally affected by suicide, and others simply want to help people in need.
Volunteer Requirements
  • Must be age 18 or older.
  • Basic computer competency and fluency in English required.
  • Ability to communicate effectively and clearly over the phone using spoken English; this volunteer role is conducted entirely via audio phone calls.
  • Ability to attend the 6-week training and satisfy all training requirements described below.
  • Ability to commit to one weekly 4-hour shift on the Crisis Line for 12 months.
  • Ability to participate in ongoing education opportunities as training curriculum is updated (as needed).
  • Ability to satisfy at least one of the following requirements for shift location:
    • Complete shifts in person at our Los Angeles office location; or
    • Complete shifts remotely from home (must have a reliable computer, reliable private internet access, quiet private space to take calls).
      • Ethernet cable must be used, Wifi Speed 400 mbps required.
      • Wired headset with microphone
      • View system requirements here for a compatible computer.

No prior experience in mental health is needed. Due to the nature of our work, we do encourage applicants who have experienced suicide firsthand or through a loved one to seek support first before applying.
Training Requirements
Training is held remotely over Zoom video conferencing. All volunteers are required to have a stable high-speed internet connection, computer with functional audio/video, and headphones. Trainees are expected to complete all of the following:
  • Crisis Line Training: Training occurs twice a week for 6 consecutive weeks on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (6-9pm). Trainees learn to facilitate crisis calls through evidence-based approaches to suicide prevention and role-playing. Please review the training dates at this link.
  • Additional Training Requirements: All volunteers are required to complete assignments and supplementary training courses outside of the 6-week training experience. These include asynchronous 988 (Lifeline) trainings, HIPAA and other agency policy trainings, and more. Additionally, volunteers must complete written and mentor assignments. These all total 35+ hours outside of the classroom experience.
  • Documentation: All volunteers are required to complete a background check, in-person TB test, and in-person LiveScan fingerprinting during training.

Time Commitment
After the training program, volunteers will enter into an apprenticeship for an approximately three-month period, in which a supervisor will be listening in and providing feedback for all crisis calls. In addition, all trainees are expected to commit to the same weekly 4-hour shift for an entire calendar year.
BBS Hours: The Suicide Prevention Center does not offer supervision for intern hours.
Our Vision
A future where everyone has equitable access to care and is empowered to achieve optimal mental health and well-being.
Our Mission
Didi Hirsch provides compassionate mental health, substance use, and suicide prevention services to individuals and families, especially in communities where discrimination and injustice limit access.
CORE VALUES
Excellence: We are constantly innovating, learning from the communities we serve, and applying the latest research to advance best practices. We uphold the highest ethical standards to ensure we are providing compassionate and excellent care.
Diversity & Inclusion: We value diversity of background, experience, and ideas. We celebrate differences and prioritize creating a sense of belonging.
Equity: We are dedicated to promoting health equity in our communities, and we work to dismantle disparities and discrimination within both systems of care and society.
Well Being: We are devoted to the well-being of our staff, volunteers, and communities, and believe healthy teams lead to healthy clients.
Advocacy: We advocate across all levels of government and use our voice to reduce barriers to care with the goal of access to high quality, integrated healthcare for all.
Community Engagement: We build partnerships in the community and across sectors to create a more inclusive and responsive mental health ecosystem and enhance greater accessibility to care and support.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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