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The differences between career specialists and career counselors 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 $44,870 average annual salary of a career counselor.
The top three skills for a career specialist include career development, professional development and career exploration. The most important skills for a career counselor are career development, career services, and professional development.
| Career Specialist | Career Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $45,299 | $44,870 |
| Hourly rate | $21.78 | $21.57 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 16,353 | 42,035 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| 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 counselor specializes in assisting clients in their career-related decisions. Utilizing their expertise in career development, they typically meet with clients to discuss their short-term and long-term goals, identify their needs and concerns, conduct different aptitude tests and examinations, organize skills assessment procedures, and provide strategies to improve or enhance their skills and abilities. Aside from providing consultations, a career counselor may also assist clients in processing and establishing their resumes, supporting them every step of the way.
Career specialists and career counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Specialist | Career Counselor | |
| Average salary | $45,299 | $44,870 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $61,000 | Between $33,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Boston Public Schools | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Education | Technology |
There are a few differences between a career specialist and a career counselor in terms of educational background:
| Career Specialist | Career Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 60% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career specialists' and career counselors' demographics:
| Career Specialist | Career Counselor | |
| Average age | 44 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.1% Female, 68.9% | Male, 42.4% Female, 57.6% |
| 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% |