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The differences between career specialists and career coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a career specialist has an average salary of $45,299, which is higher than the $41,858 average annual salary of a career coach.
The top three skills for a career specialist include career development, professional development and career exploration. The most important skills for a career coach are career development, professional development, and career services.
| Career Specialist | Career Coach | |
| Yearly salary | $45,299 | $41,858 |
| Hourly rate | $21.78 | $20.12 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 16,353 | 42,622 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
Also called workforce trainers, career specialists determine career and vocational opportunities for qualified job-searches using different assessments. Career specialists plan and implement a comprehensive career development program within the realm of student services. They assess and evaluate career development test results and use them as a guide for individuals. It is part of their job to counsel in terms of administrative tasks. Skills necessary for this job include communication, attention to detail, and career guidance.
A career coach is responsible for helping a person reach their career goals and development by identifying their strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations. Career coaches conduct one-on-one counseling with their clients to share career advice and support them for the professional path. They also build self-confidence in their clients and help them improve their relationship with other people. A career coach must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in mentoring their clients and managing career services according to their clients' needs.
Career specialists and career coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Specialist | Career Coach | |
| Average salary | $45,299 | $41,858 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $61,000 | Between $30,000 And $57,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Boston Public Schools | Hartwick College |
| Best paying industry | Education | Utilities |
There are a few differences between a career specialist and a career coach in terms of educational background:
| Career Specialist | Career Coach | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 65% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career specialists' and career coaches' demographics:
| Career Specialist | Career Coach | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.1% Female, 68.9% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 5.9% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 12% | 11% |