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Communications instructor vs residential specialist

The differences between communications instructors and residential 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 residential specialist. Additionally, a communications instructor has an average salary of $53,529, which is higher than the $33,451 average annual salary of a residential specialist.

The top three skills for a communications instructor include developmental disabilities, autism and public speaking. The most important skills for a residential specialist are mental health, crisis intervention, and CPR.

Communications instructor vs residential specialist overview

Communications InstructorResidential Specialist
Yearly salary$53,529$33,451
Hourly rate$25.74$16.08
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs39,65949,467
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Communications instructor vs residential specialist salary

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

Communications InstructorResidential Specialist
Average salary$53,529$33,451
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $97,000Between $25,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CityOakland, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyKern Community College DistrictUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryEducationNon Profits

Differences between communications instructor and residential specialist education

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

Communications InstructorResidential Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common majorCommunicationPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - FullertonCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Communications instructor vs residential specialist demographics

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

Communications InstructorResidential Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 38.7% Female, 61.3%Male, 29.7% Female, 70.3%
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, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between communications instructor and residential 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.
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Residential specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Dispense medication, maintain all certification in CPR, first aid, and other educational and licensing requirements.
  • Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for which care is provided.
  • Assist residents with their activities of daily living (ADL).
  • Provide a proactive therapeutic approach to prevent or deescalate any crisis situation per TCI regulations.
  • Help Alzheimer's residents with activities of daily living such as, bathing, brushing teeth, feeding, and activities.
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Communications instructor vs residential specialist skills

Common communications instructor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Public Speaking, 7%
  • Incident Reports, 6%
  • Community Integration, 5%
  • CPR, 5%
Common residential specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%

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