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The differences between automation specialists and field specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both an automation specialist and a field specialist. Additionally, an automation specialist has an average salary of $77,750, which is higher than the $49,496 average annual salary of a field specialist.
The top three skills for an automation specialist include digital marketing, email marketing and java. The most important skills for a field specialist are customer service, troubleshoot, and work ethic.
| Automation Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $77,750 | $49,496 |
| Hourly rate | $37.38 | $23.80 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 64,079 | 101,348 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
An automation specialist is in charge of designing and developing new systems to optimize business operations. Their responsibilities typically revolve around performing research and analysis to determine the strengths and weaknesses of existing systems, coordinating with different departments to learn their operational needs, and improving software and hardware. They may also install and repair various equipment, troubleshoot, and conduct regular maintenance checks to ensure efficiency and smooth workflow. Furthermore, as an automation specialist, it is essential to provide technical support to employees, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
The duties of a field specialist depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. In a retail setting, their responsibilities revolve around securing sales by offering products or services to consumers through appointments, walk-ins, calls, or correspondence. They typically participate in developing sales programs, maintain records of all transactions, answer inquiries, and handle any issues or concerns, resolving them promptly and efficiently. Furthermore, as a field specialist, it is essential to devise strategies that will boost product sales, all while upholding the company's policies and regulations.
Automation specialists and field specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Automation Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Average salary | $77,750 | $49,496 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $104,000 | Between $30,000 And $81,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sacramento, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Apple | LUFKIN Industries |
| Best paying industry | Technology | Energy |
There are a few differences between an automation specialist and a field specialist in terms of educational background:
| Automation Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Electrical Engineering | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between automation specialists' and field specialists' demographics:
| Automation Specialist | Field Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 76.7% Female, 23.3% | Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 10.9% White, 55.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |