Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for consumer education specialists in the United States
Are consumer education specialist jobs in demand?
Consumer education specialist job and salary trends over time
Consumer education specialist jobs over time
Consumer education specialist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 551 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 555 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 556 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 543 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 531 | 0.00% |
Average consumer education specialist salary over time
Consumer education specialist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $47,104 | $22.65 | +2.7% |
| 2025 | $45,859 | $22.05 | +1.9% |
| 2024 | $44,996 | $21.63 | +1.2% |
| 2023 | $44,471 | $21.38 | +2.2% |
| 2022 | $43,511 | $20.92 | +2.2% |
Consumer education specialist jobs by state
Most common states for consumer education specialists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 198 | 29% |
| 2 | Vermont | 623,657 | 89 | 14% |
| 3 | Delaware | 961,939 | 129 | 13% |
| 4 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 832 | 12% |
| 5 | New Hampshire | 1,342,795 | 160 | 12% |
| 6 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 70 | 12% |
| 7 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 627 | 11% |
| 8 | Alaska | 739,795 | 78 | 11% |
| 9 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 807 | 10% |
| 10 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 557 | 10% |
| 11 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 322 | 10% |
| 12 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 313 | 10% |
| 13 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 187 | 10% |
| 14 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 109 | 10% |
| 15 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 103 | 10% |
| 16 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,166 | 9% |
| 17 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 651 | 9% |
| 18 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 517 | 9% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 339 | 9% |
| 20 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 65 | 9% |
Most common cities for consumer education specialists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tampa | 2 | 1% | $33,736 |
| 2 | Knoxville | 1 | 1% | $45,848 |
| 3 | Palm Coast | 1 | 1% | $33,685 |
| 4 | Boston | 1 | 0% | $66,182 |
| 5 | Chicago | 1 | 0% | $58,992 |
Consumer Education Specialist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of consumer education specialist experts
University of Houston
Duquesne University
SUNY Plattsburgh
Cedar Crest College
Rowan University
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
The Ohio State University at Lima
North Carolina Central University
Western Illinois University
American Public University System
Forsyth County, Georgia
Barbara Stewart
Chair & Professor Human Development & Consumer SciencesUniversity of Houston
College of Technology
What skills stand out on Consumer Education Specialist resumes?
Barbara Stewart: a. Work experience via full-time, part-time, or internship is highly recommended
b. Candidates should be able to demonstrate an understanding of consumer behavior and customer service concepts
c. Interpersonal skills are imperative.
d. A thorough foundation in consumer behavior models and practices is needed.
What soft skills should all Consumer Education Specialists possess?
Barbara Stewart: a. Interpersonal skills
b. Time management
c. Organizational understanding/climate development
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consumer Education Specialists?
Barbara Stewart: a. Foundational business skills
b. Consumer behavior models, roles, and applications
c. Educational principles
d. Consumer advocacy
e. Communications skills
f. Analytical competencies
What skills will help Consumer Education Specialists earn the most?
Barbara Stewart: a. Solid work ethic
b. Interpersonal skills
c. Content understanding in the field
d. Organizational skills
e. Experience/applications in the field.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consumer Education Specialists?
Dr. Mike Dillon: Media is about storytelling -- whether it's an ad, a social media campaign, a magazine story, etc. Being able to use the tools of your trade, whatever they may be -- algorithms, editing suites, etc. The most important skill, though, is understanding the essence of those tools -- what is they are intended to accomplish. If you understand that, you can easily adapt when tools change -- which they frequently do.
Dr. Marty Frost
Professor and ChairSUNY Plattsburgh
Human Development and Family Relations
What skills stand out on Consumer Education Specialist resumes?
Dr. Marty Frost: An academic background that includes a broad, generalist knowledge base and skill set provides a strong professional foundation in the FCS field. In addition to a comprehensive FCS academic background, demonstrating one’s ability in a variety of professional capacities will highlight one’s professional strengths. Previous experience teaching or working with young people in either a school setting, human services agency, or a program setting demonstrates one’s flexibility in their career. Likewise, working with adults, either in a teaching capacity or in a specific community FCS program area, shows variety in one’s career trajectory. To expand one’s career opportunities, participating in a post-baccalaureate FCS-focused professional internship could also provide a competitive edge in the job market.
What soft skills should all Consumer Education Specialists possess?
Dr. Marty Frost: An engaging personality, coupled with a “can-do” attitude, creates a very positive first impression in any new professional. Confidence in one’s ability, as well as the competence to complete the work successfully and on time, are important. Demonstrating reliability, dependability, punctuality, along with working cooperatively with one’s colleagues, are also not to be underestimated.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Consumer Education Specialists?
Dr. Marty Frost: Being current in one’s content area within the profession is the baseline “must-have,” coupled with the professional competence to exceed others’ expectations are important starting points. Because the FCS profession encompasses many different areas of expertise, gaining in-depth training in several areas will increase one’s marketability.
What skills will help Consumer Education Specialists earn the most?
Dr. Marty Frost: For those interested in pursuing an academic career in FCS, a graduate degree is a must. Teaching in the public schools in New York State requires a minimum of a Master’s degree for first-year professionals. FCS professionals striving to teach at the college or university level most likely will be nearing completion of a doctoral program, if not already degree in hand. Of course, the longer one serves in an academic career, the greater the earning potential. Working collegially as a valuable member of a professional team underscores the value of an FCS specialist. Having expertise in two or more FCS areas of study increases one’s marketability, and therefore, one’s value in the field. For example, having a background as a consumer economist strengthens one’s competitive edge and earning capacity in the business world.
What experience really stands out on Consumer Education Specialist resumes?
Dr. Jill Purdy: "This is partially answered previously. I think students found time to be more self-reliant and independent. Hopefully, not to a fault as they move into their careers.
On resumes, we may see more of the soft skills described. It may sound counterintuitive, but I think a different kind of interpersonal skill was developed. On a Zoom call, what do we have but people and we have to figure out how to get our message across, collaborate, debate, and communicate effectively without extraneous factors. "
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.
Assistant ProfessorRowan University
Department of Language, Literacy and Sociocultural education
How would you rate the starting salaries for Consumer Education Specialists, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Dr. Kate Seltzer Ph.D.: Educators are not paid nearly enough. However, working in a state with strong teachers' unions helps to ensure a starting salary that recent graduates can live off of and growth opportunities, albeit modest, over their careers.
What general advice would you give to a Consumer Education Specialist?
Ng'ang'a Muchiri: That storytelling and the power of persuasion are so incredibly vital today. Just think of Netflix, Instagram, advertising, political rhetoric, and the behavioral changes encouraged in public health announcements.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consumer Education Specialists to find work opportunities?
Leah Herner-Patnode: Usually, urban areas of bigger cities and southern states, such as North Carolina, have many openings. Maine, Florida, California, Hawaii, Washington, and Texas are the most open positions.
Elisha Blankson
Program Director NCCU, Assistant ProfessorNorth Carolina Central University
Communication Disorders Department
What type of skills will young Consumer Education Specialists need?
Elisha Blankson: Graduates will need a skill set about the field in which they received training and additional skills useful to the job market. For example, with the changing demographics in the United States, extra skills in information technology and foreign languages will be a plus when entering the job market.
Dr. Richard Filipink Ph.D.
ProfessorWestern Illinois University
History Department
Will there be an increase or decrease in demand for Consumer Education Specialists in the next 5 years?
Dr. Richard Filipink Ph.D.: Much of this depends on budgets and response to the pandemic. If budgets tighten to pay off the debts caused by how the epidemic was handled in 2020, then a decrease in demand. If things improve in 2021-22, then there should be an increase in demand.
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.
Associate ProfessorAmerican Public University System
Public Administration Department
What type of skills will young Consumer Education Specialists need?
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.: The ability to examine all sides of an issue, to include long-term consequences and short-term consequences and unintended consequences and intended outcomes is vital. A focus on goals and objectives, instead of depending on an emotional response, will help lead to the best solutions. Public servants should be adaptable and able to work with people from various cultures. They need to have an understanding of how to work with and motivate individuals and groups. Those who can stay engaged and exercise good judgment will fare best in fluid and changing times.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consumer Education Specialists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Elizabeth Keavney Ph.D.: Some areas are hiring public servants around the United States; however, many places are cutting back, since so many sites had experienced budget cuts, even before COVID-19 lockdowns caused further revenue reductions. If you can't find a full-time job right away, try taking a part-time job, an internship, or a position with a non-profit as a way to continue learning and to give yourself a chance to show the quality of your work.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Consumer Education Specialists to find work opportunities?
Donna Kukarola: This one, not so sure of, the southeast continues to see options as well as mid-western states.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Consumer Education Specialists?
Donna Kukarola: The procurement field is an opportunity; each day will have its own set of challenges and opportunities. Obtaining the right item/service at the right time, at the right price, is not all that procurement does. They are strategic members, sourcing, timing, keeping up with trends, laws, best practices, and advising that the resource desired is already available!
This year, entering the workforce will be different for many interviews to be held electronically - even, perhaps, teleworking when they get the job. Training is a bit more of a challenge then, and it can be hard to get a real feel of the "attitude." Keeping an open mind and being flexible is a must; during this pandemic, we have all had to learn how to do our jobs differently and navigate our careers.