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The differences between client service associates and service specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a client service associate and a service specialist. Additionally, a client service associate has an average salary of $46,874, which is higher than the $44,150 average annual salary of a service specialist.
The top three skills for a client service associate include client service, customer service and client relationships. The most important skills for a service specialist are patients, social work, and criminal justice.
| Client Service Associate | Service Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $46,874 | $44,150 |
| Hourly rate | $22.54 | $21.23 |
| Growth rate | -4% | -4% |
| Number of jobs | 192,048 | 207,020 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
Client service associates are professionals who offer their services to their clients, including financial advisors. They perform various tasks, including communicating with clients through written correspondence, telephone or electronic means, update and maintain client accounts, documents, and transactions, and resolving customer complaints. They may perform some administrative tasks such as organizing meetings, booking conference rooms, and preparing reports. They are also expected to notify clients about the latest products or services and ensure compliance with regulatory rules.
A service specialist is responsible for assisting customers with their inquiries and concerns about the services offered by the organization. Service specialists' duties include responding to customers' requests, updating customers of promotional offers and new services, escalating high-level concerns to the appropriate department, and keeping accurate records of clients' issues and resolutions. Service specialists are also in charge of preparing customer surveys to rate their satisfaction and identifying opportunities for service improvement. A service specialist must display excellent customer service and communication skills to address clients' concerns efficiently and accurately.
Client service associates and service specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Client Service Associate | Service Specialist | |
| Average salary | $46,874 | $44,150 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $74,000 | Between $27,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | Greenwich, CT | Boston, MA |
| Highest paying state | Connecticut | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Cambridge Associates | Ropes & Gray |
| Best paying industry | Finance | Technology |
There are a few differences between a client service associate and a service specialist in terms of educational background:
| Client Service Associate | Service Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between client service associates' and service specialists' demographics:
| Client Service Associate | Service Specialist | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.4% Female, 66.6% | Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.7% Unknown, 5.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 7.1% White, 53.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 7.5% White, 54.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 7% | 7% |