Post Job

Development Associate Vs Development Specialist

The differences between development associates and development 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 development associate and a development specialist. Additionally, a development associate has an average salary of $70,451, which is higher than the $60,344 average annual salary of a development specialist.

The top three skills for a development associate include customer service, java and powerpoint. The most important skills for a development specialist are customer service, customer satisfaction, and professional development.

Development associate vs development specialist overview

Development AssociateDevelopment Specialist
Yearly Salary$70,451$60,344
Hourly rate$33.87$29.01
Growth Rate8%8%
Number Of Jobs85,81597,188
Job Satisfaction--
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average Age4444
Years Of Experience44

What does a Development Associate do?

A development associate is responsible for supporting a non-profit organization's fundraising campaigns and donation programs. They establish communication with sponsors and potential donors and oversee grant programs. Development associates monitor the progress of every campaign, creating comprehensive reports to discuss with the development manager and the rest of the team. They also assist with developing marketing campaigns, organizing social media presence for awareness, and researching on alternative funding sources. A development associate must be highly communicative and organizational, coordinating with different institutions, and negotiating sponsorship proposals.

What does a development specialist do?

A development specialist is responsible for monitoring career training and programs for the employees, improving their capabilities and maximum potential to contribute to the company's growth and success. Development specialists also assist in assessing departmental operations, evaluating training needs, and facilitate skill development discussions and exercises. A development specialist helps identify business opportunities to generate more revenues for the organization and improve profitability status. A development specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills and comprehensive knowledge of human management to assist employees with their inquiries and concerns.

Development associate vs development specialist salary

Development associates and development specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Development AssociateDevelopment Specialist
Average Salary$70,451$60,344
Salary RangeBetween $42,000 And $116,000Between $37,000 And $96,000
Highest Paying CityJersey City, NJEdison, NJ
Highest Paying StateNew JerseyNew Jersey
Best Paying CompanyDiscoveryRopes & Gray
Best Paying IndustryFinance-

Differences between development associate and development specialist education

There are a few differences between a development associate and a development specialist in terms of educational background:

Development AssociateDevelopment Specialist
Most Common DegreeBachelor's Degree, 77%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most Common MajorBusinessBusiness
Most Common CollegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Development associate vs development specialist demographics

Here are the differences between development associates' and development specialists' demographics:

Development AssociateDevelopment Specialist
Average Age4444
Gender RatioMale, 35.5% Female, 64.5%Male, 40.5% Female, 59.5%
Race RatioBlack or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 6.5% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 6.4% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 5.8% White, 60.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between development associate and development specialist duties and responsibilities

Development Associate Example Responsibilities.

  • Edit and manage attorney biographies.
  • Manage database and daily schedule though use of SalesForce.
  • Manage all aspects of donor prospecting, cultivation, stewardship, and budget/vendor/consultant management for special events and individual giving.
  • Certify in CPR and first aid.
  • Create marketing strategies to help with are SEO
  • Convert HTML website tutorials to function properly on iPad devices.
  • Show More

Development Specialist Example Responsibilities.

  • Manage RFP and contracting process.
  • Manage a comprehensive caseload and keep accurate count of individuals enroll in WIA program.
  • Manage complex USDA management information system records for portfolio properties.
  • Manage alumni and corporate relations and activities and continuous learning education initiatives.
  • Recruit, manage and motivate volunteers in public education, professional education, service and rehabilitation and tobacco control programs.
  • Provide educational and recreational programming for young adults with developmental disabilities and neurological disorders, such as autism.
  • Show More

Development associate vs development specialist skills

Common Development Associate Skills
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • Java, 7%
  • PowerPoint, 6%
  • Project Management, 5%
  • Professional Development, 4%
  • Database Management, 4%
Common Development Specialist Skills
  • Customer Service, 8%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 5%

Browse business and financial jobs