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The differences between academic guidance specialists and admissions advisors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an admissions advisor has an average salary of $54,192, which is higher than the $50,630 average annual salary of an academic guidance specialist.
The top three skills for an academic guidance specialist include professional development, social work and student retention. The most important skills for an admissions advisor are customer service, admissions process, and outbound calls.
| Academic Guidance Specialist | Admissions Advisor | |
| Yearly salary | $50,630 | $54,192 |
| Hourly rate | $24.34 | $26.05 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 18,180 | 55,433 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
An academic guidance specialist conducts individual planning, interviews, and aptitude assessments to evaluate learners' interests and abilities. They identify issues affecting the student's performance, like not attending all classes. Besides working with parents, administrators, and teachers to help learners succeed, academic guidance specialists also help learners create a program to attain career goals and academic objectives. They help learners develop skills like effective learning habits, time management abilities, and organizational abilities. Moreover, these professionals maintain records as needed.
The admissions advisor's work involves meeting with potential students and organizing recruitment events in the admissions offices of colleges and universities. Their tasks also include informing students and families about the application process, requirements for admission, financial aid, and enrollment steps. Moreover, they can answer frequently asked questions about the school to help potential students decide whether it is a good fit. In addition, they may also leave campus to help in promoting the school at college and university fairs.
Academic guidance specialists and admissions advisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Academic Guidance Specialist | Admissions Advisor | |
| Average salary | $50,630 | $54,192 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $74,000 | Between $27,000 And $106,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Merced, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | California |
| Best paying company | Michigan State University | Tenet Healthcare |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between an academic guidance specialist and an admissions advisor in terms of educational background:
| Academic Guidance Specialist | Admissions Advisor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between academic guidance specialists' and admissions advisors' demographics:
| Academic Guidance Specialist | Admissions Advisor | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 44.7% Female, 55.3% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 11% | 11% |