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Peer Counseling Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Peer and Family Advocate - Per Diem

Yucca Valley, CA

$18 - $23.25/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

sbhg

Peer and Family Advocate - Per Diem

Yucca Valley, CA · On-site

$18 - $23.25/hr

Although not professional counselors, Peer and Family Advocates are treatment team members and trained in basic counseling skills. Peer and Family Advocates help consumers explore options given their ...

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How much do peer counseling jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for peer counseling in the United States is $20.41, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.31 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is peer counseling?

Peer counseling is a form of support where individuals help others who are facing similar life challenges, such as mental health issues, academic stress, or personal problems. Peer counselors are usually trained students or community members who offer guidance, listen empathetically, and provide resources, but they are not licensed therapists. The goal is to create a safe and non-judgmental space for sharing experiences and promoting well-being. Peer counseling can complement professional counseling by offering relatable support and fostering a sense of community.

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

To thrive as a Peer Counselor, you need strong interpersonal skills, active listening abilities, and lived experience with the issues clients face, often supported by peer support training or certification. Familiarity with documentation tools, mental health first aid, and crisis intervention systems is typically required. Empathy, confidentiality, and nonjudgmental communication are crucial soft skills for building trust and rapport. These skills and qualities are vital to effectively support and empower peers while maintaining professional boundaries and promoting well-being.

How do peer counselors typically balance supporting others with managing their own emotional well-being?

Peer counselors often encounter emotionally charged situations, so maintaining personal well-being is crucial. Most organizations provide regular supervision, access to mental health resources, and peer support groups to help counselors process their experiences. It's common for peer counselors to set boundaries around their availability and practice self-care strategies, such as debriefing with colleagues or supervisors after challenging sessions. This supportive structure not only protects the counselor's mental health but also ensures they can provide the best care to those they support.

What is the difference between Peer Counseling vs Mental Health Counselor?

AspectPeer CounselingMental Health Counselor
Required CredentialsTraining programs, certifications, peer support experienceMaster's degree in counseling or psychology, state licensure
Work EnvironmentCommunity centers, schools, support groupsClinics, hospitals, private practices
Employer & Industry UsageNonprofits, educational institutions, peer-led programsHealthcare facilities, mental health agencies
Common Search & ComparisonPeer CounselingMental Health Counselor

Peer Counseling involves providing support based on shared experiences, often with specialized training but without formal licensure. Mental Health Counselors hold advanced degrees and licensure, offering clinical therapy. Both roles aim to support mental well-being but differ in credentials, settings, and scope of practice.

Is peer counseling a good career path for me?

Peer counseling is a career that involves providing support and guidance to individuals facing personal challenges, often requiring strong communication skills and empathy. It typically requires relevant training or certification and can be found in settings like schools, community organizations, or healthcare facilities. Success in this field depends on interpersonal skills and a genuine interest in helping others.

What does a peer counselor do?

A peer counselor provides emotional support, guidance, and active listening to individuals facing personal, social, or mental health challenges. They often share similar experiences to build trust and may facilitate group discussions or refer clients to professional resources. Strong communication skills and confidentiality are essential in this role.
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Peer Counseling jobs near you
Infographic showing various Peer Counseling job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Part Time. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $42,452 per year, or $20.4 per hour.

Peer Counselor - Level I

New York, NY • On-site

NYC Health Hospitals
Health Care and Social Assistance • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about NYC Health Hospitalsexternal

$43K - $47K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday

NYC Health + Hospitals rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 75 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

263rd of 898 rated healthcare providers

Job description

Queens Hospital Center is making good on its promise to the people of southeastern and central Queens to maximize both patient convenience and positive clinical outcomes. Residents of Queens can count on the delivery of quality medical care right in their own borough. In 2002 the hospital opened a state-of-the-art, 261-bed facility that includes the Queens Cancer Center, the first comprehensive cancer treatment center in the borough.
At NYC Health + Hospitals, our mission is to deliver high quality care health services, without exception. Every employee takes a person-centered approach that exemplifies the ICARE values (Integrity, Compassion, Accountability, Respect, and Excellence) through empathic communication and partnerships between all persons.
Grant Funded
This position is grant funded.
Work Shifts
9:00 A.M - 5:00 P.M
Monday through Friday
35 hours.
Alternating weekends.
Duties & Responsibilities
Purpose of Position:
Under supervision, peer counselors provide direct services to health consumers in emergency, inpatient, outpatient, home and specialized settings. Works in close collaboration with staff, consumers and other caregivers in planning and implementing treatment plans. Empowers peers to advocate for themselves, resolve issues or problems and plan for their futures by serving as a role model.
Examples of Typical Tasks:
1. Assists the consumer with activities of daily living (e.g., setting-up household, public transportation, budgeting, shopping, socializing, parenting and other skills relevant to an individual's rehabilitation goals). May make home visits.
2. Leads or co-leads groups including, but not limited to, dual diagnoses issues, relapse and recovery and socialization.
3. Assists the consumer in identifying their own individual warning signs of relapse and identifying and developing individual coping strategies.
4. Provides supportive peer counseling with respect to mental health, substance abuse, rehabilitation strategies, breast-feeding education and other self-help opportunities.
5. Participates in an interdisciplinary treatment and human services team in determining and implementing a comprehensive plan of care.
6. Clarifies issues for the consumer and assists with the process of referral for treatment, rehabilitation, housing
and supportive services. Follows-up to determine whether services were provided and used.
7. Assists the consumer in completing applications and paper work for public entitlements and may accompany consumer on visits to agency offices and treatment programs.
8. Acts as a liaison with community and governmental agencies.
9. Facilitates the establishment of peer support networks, natural and social support systems.
10. Maintains current, complete and appropriate documentation in the consumer record, prepares required forms, and may be required to use computer systems in carrying out these functions. Documents in Electronic Health
Record (EHR) and writes progress notes for review.
Minimum Qualifications
Assignment Level I
For Assignments in Comprehensive Emergency Psychiatric Programs (CPEPs):
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a
a. Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); or
b. Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); or
c. Credentialed Family Peer Advocate (FPA-C), Credentialed Family Peer Advocate Provisional (FPA-P), Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate (YPA-C), or Credentialed Youth Peer Advocate Provisional (YPA-P) issued by Families Together in New York State; and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of CPEP services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For Substance Use Assignments:
1. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Recovery Peer Advocate (CRPA) or Recovery Peer Advocate-Provisional (CRPA-P) issued by the New York Certification Board (ASAP-NYCB); and
2. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of substance use disorder services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
For All Other Mental Health Assignments:
3. Certification, which must be maintained for the assignment's duration, as a Peer Specialist (NYCPS) or Peer Specialist-Provisional (NYCPS-P) issued by the New York Peer Specialist Certification Board (NYPSCB); and
4. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of mental health services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services.
Qualification Requirements (Continued):
For All Other Assignments (Including Breastfeeding Education Assignments):
1. Satisfactory and documented completion of a formalized Peer Advocate/Counselor/Specialist Training Program or one (1) year of full-time satisfactory experience working with consumers of peer services as a peer counselor/specialist, peer advocate or in related human services; and
2. A High school diploma or its educational equivalent.
Benefits
NYC Health and Hospitals offers a competitive benefits package that includes:
  • Comprehensive Health Benefits for employees hired to work 20+ hrs. per week
  • Retirement Savings and Pension Plans
  • Paid Holidays and Vacation in accordance with employees' Collectively bargained contracts
  • Loan Forgiveness Programs for eligible employees
  • College tuition discounts and professional development opportunities
  • College Savings Program
  • Union Benefits for eligible titles
  • Multiple employee discounts programs
  • Commuter Benefits Programs

If you wish to apply for this position, please apply online by clicking the "Apply for Job" button.

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