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The differences between career specialists and certified trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a career specialist and a certified trainer. Additionally, a certified trainer has an average salary of $54,770, which is higher than the $45,299 average annual salary of a career specialist.
The top three skills for a career specialist include career development, professional development and career exploration. The most important skills for a certified trainer are safety procedures, food safety, and customer service.
| Career Specialist | Certified Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $45,299 | $54,770 |
| Hourly rate | $21.78 | $26.33 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 16,353 | 54,839 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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 certified trainer is responsible for creating a customized fitness program for clients to improve their body functions, including their cardiovascular stability, balance, flexibility, and overall wellness for a healthy lifestyle. Certified trainers determine the clients' fitness goals, monitoring the clients' progress, and adjusting training plans as needed. They also monitor their clients' food intake, encouraging them to follow strict diet procedures to maintain nutritional standards and practice health disciplines. A certified trainer must have excellent communication and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of the fitness industry.
Career specialists and certified trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Career Specialist | Certified Trainer | |
| Average salary | $45,299 | $54,770 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $61,000 | Between $31,000 And $95,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Cruz, CA | - |
| Highest paying state | California | - |
| Best paying company | Boston Public Schools | - |
| Best paying industry | Education | - |
There are a few differences between a career specialist and a certified trainer in terms of educational background:
| Career Specialist | Certified Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 64% | Bachelor's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between career specialists' and certified trainers' demographics:
| Career Specialist | Certified Trainer | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.1% Female, 68.9% | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% |
| 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, 11.2% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 5.8% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |