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Detention worker vs child support specialist

The differences between detention workers and child support specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a detention worker and a child support specialist. Additionally, a child support specialist has an average salary of $38,271, which is higher than the $35,072 average annual salary of a detention worker.

The top three skills for a detention worker include crisis intervention, perform intake and incident reports. The most important skills for a child support specialist are customer service, social work, and child support cases.

Detention worker vs child support specialist overview

Detention WorkerChild Support Specialist
Yearly salary$35,072$38,271
Hourly rate$16.86$18.40
Growth rate10%9%
Number of jobs21,863143,623
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

Detention worker vs child support specialist salary

Detention workers and child support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Detention WorkerChild Support Specialist
Average salary$35,072$38,271
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $55,000Between $29,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City-Rockville, MD
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-University of Rochester
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between detention worker and child support specialist education

There are a few differences between a detention worker and a child support specialist in terms of educational background:

Detention WorkerChild Support Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 60%
Most common majorCriminal JusticePsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Detention worker vs child support specialist demographics

Here are the differences between detention workers' and child support specialists' demographics:

Detention WorkerChild Support Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 55.1% Female, 44.9%Male, 19.9% Female, 80.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 5.1% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage8%10%

Differences between detention worker and child support specialist duties and responsibilities

Detention worker example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Recognize risk factors quickly, collaborate with interdisciplinary team, nurture positive relationships with patients through consistency and modeling healthy boundaries.
  • Examine injured persons and administer first aid or cardiopulmonary resuscitation, if necessary, using training and medical supplies and equipment.

Child support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage project SharePoint site for the purpose of supporting ongoing collaboration
  • Train in CPR and child restraint.
  • Represent clients during mediation proceedings in court.
  • Process summons, subpoenas, appeals and motions.
  • Change diapers, clean and disinfect center to meet DHS standars.
  • Used mediation skills to dissolve disputes between custodial and non custodial parents.
  • Show more

Detention worker vs child support specialist skills

Common detention worker skills
  • Crisis Intervention, 22%
  • Perform Intake, 13%
  • Incident Reports, 13%
  • Emergency Situations, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Juvenile Programs, 5%
Common child support specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • Social Work, 8%
  • Child Support Cases, 8%
  • Court Orders, 6%
  • Child Support Orders, 6%
  • Child Support Enforcement, 5%

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