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The differences between certified trainers and development specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a certified trainer and a development specialist. Additionally, a development specialist has an average salary of $60,344, which is higher than the $54,770 average annual salary of a certified trainer.
The top three skills for a certified trainer include safety procedures, food safety and customer service. The most important skills for a development specialist are customer service, customer satisfaction, and professional development.
| Certified Trainer | Development Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $54,770 | $60,344 |
| Hourly rate | $26.33 | $29.01 |
| Growth rate | 8% | 8% |
| Number of jobs | 54,839 | 97,188 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A development specialist is responsible for monitoring career training and programs for the employees, improving their capabilities and maximum potential to contribute to the company's growth and success. Development specialists also assist in assessing departmental operations, evaluating training needs, and facilitate skill development discussions and exercises. A development specialist helps identify business opportunities to generate more revenues for the organization and improve profitability status. A development specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills and comprehensive knowledge of human management to assist employees with their inquiries and concerns.
Certified trainers and development specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Certified Trainer | Development Specialist | |
| Average salary | $54,770 | $60,344 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $95,000 | Between $37,000 And $96,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Edison, NJ |
| Highest paying state | - | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | - | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a certified trainer and a development specialist in terms of educational background:
| Certified Trainer | Development Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between certified trainers' and development specialists' demographics:
| Certified Trainer | Development Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.1% Female, 55.9% | Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |