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Communications instructor vs living specialist

The differences between communications instructors and living 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 living specialist. Additionally, a communications instructor has an average salary of $53,529, which is higher than the $36,759 average annual salary of a living specialist.

The top three skills for a communications instructor include developmental disabilities, autism and public speaking. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Communications instructor vs living specialist overview

Communications InstructorLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$53,529$36,759
Hourly rate$25.74$17.67
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs39,65949,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Communications instructor vs living specialist salary

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

Communications InstructorLiving Specialist
Average salary$53,529$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $97,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateCaliforniaNew York
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictTerros Health
Best paying industryEducationNon Profits

Differences between communications instructor and living specialist education

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

Communications InstructorLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorCommunicationPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonSUNY at Binghamton

Communications instructor vs living specialist demographics

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

Communications InstructorLiving Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between communications instructor and living 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

Living specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Conduct comprehensive care assessments to determine client eligibility for Medicaid fund home health assistance.
  • Provide education and vocational counseling for the individual and/or their family members and significant others to ensure healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation.
  • Collaborate with community health councils and other community agencies to provide programs that enhance community awareness of health and safety.

Communications instructor vs living specialist skills

Common communications instructor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Public Speaking, 7%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Community Integration, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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