Post job

Communications instructor vs community support specialist

The differences between communications instructors and community support 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 communications instructor and a community support specialist. Additionally, a communications instructor has an average salary of $53,529, which is higher than the $39,320 average annual salary of a community support specialist.

The top three skills for a communications instructor include developmental disabilities, autism and public speaking. The most important skills for a community support specialist are social work, mental health, and rehabilitation.

Communications instructor vs community support specialist overview

Communications InstructorCommunity Support Specialist
Yearly salary$53,529$39,320
Hourly rate$25.74$18.90
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs39,659111,431
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Communications instructor vs community support specialist salary

Communications instructors and community support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Communications InstructorCommunity Support Specialist
Average salary$53,529$39,320
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $97,000Between $27,000 And $56,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictMeta
Best paying industryEducationNon Profits

Differences between communications instructor and community support specialist education

There are a few differences between a communications instructor and a community support specialist in terms of educational background:

Communications InstructorCommunity Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorCommunicationPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Communications instructor vs community support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between communications instructors' and community support specialists' demographics:

Communications InstructorCommunity Support Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 28.8% Female, 71.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.1% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.5% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 14.4% Asian, 7.0% White, 59.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between communications instructor and community support specialist duties and responsibilities

Communications instructor example responsibilities.

  • Guide individuals in accomplishing their ISP objectives by demonstrating effective instruction techniques and positive reinforcement.
  • Focus: the integration of philosophy, history, art and literature for gift students.
  • Prepare syllabus, exams, lectures and class participation projects as a last minute replacement for an ill instructor.
  • Create flexible syllabus with modules instead of due dates, allowing non-traditional students to complete modules at their own pace.
  • Work one-on-one with a developmentally challenge student with autism.
  • Support and implement behavioral therapy with individuals with autism, primarily focusing on social skills in school and the community environment.
  • Show more

Community support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
  • Review notes complete by other community support workers to assess progression towards individualize goals for patients on caseload.
  • Complete CPR and first aid training.
  • Participate in IEP meetings and academic action plans.
  • Develop new techniques to engage teenage males with autism in focuse areas of activity.
  • Provide direction to the program's register nurse and ensure compliance with OPWDD regulations.
  • Show more

Communications instructor vs community support specialist skills

Common communications instructor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Public Speaking, 7%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Community Integration, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
Common community support specialist skills
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Community Resources, 6%
  • Independent Living, 5%
  • Substance Abuse, 5%

Browse community and social services jobs