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Developmental technician vs developmental specialist

The differences between developmental technicians and developmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a developmental specialist has an average salary of $42,829, which is higher than the $31,175 average annual salary of a developmental technician.

The top three skills for a developmental technician include developmental disabilities, direct care and autism. The most important skills for a developmental specialist are social work, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Developmental technician vs developmental specialist overview

Developmental TechnicianDevelopmental Specialist
Yearly salary$31,175$42,829
Hourly rate$14.99$20.59
Growth rate9%12%
Number of jobs58,2927,776
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3443
Years of experience-12

Developmental technician vs developmental specialist salary

Developmental technicians and developmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Developmental TechnicianDevelopmental Specialist
Average salary$31,175$42,829
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $39,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySouth Portland, MESan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsAlaska
Best paying companyWest Tennessee HealthcareUMass Memorial Health
Best paying industryEnergyProfessional

Differences between developmental technician and developmental specialist education

There are a few differences between a developmental technician and a developmental specialist in terms of educational background:

Developmental TechnicianDevelopmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 34%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Developmental technician vs developmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between developmental technicians' and developmental specialists' demographics:

Developmental TechnicianDevelopmental Specialist
Average age3443
Gender ratioMale, 27.5% Female, 72.5%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage15%11%

Differences between developmental technician and developmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Developmental technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Assist individuals with their ADL's yet allowing and encouraging independence.
  • Develop, plan, and run vocational and safety goals for individuals.
  • Assist with ADL's, supervise meals, activities daily, provide a safe and structure environment.
  • Provide rehabilitation opportunities through facilitation of integrate rehabilitation and recreation services.
  • Enhance the independents of individual with DD.
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Developmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
  • Team leader in charge of receiving referrals make for children on the autism spectrum, communication delays and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Participate in weekly individual therapy sessions with young children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Participate in transition classes for children transferring from EI services to daycare and Headstart settings.4.
  • Monitor the completion of ASQ's.
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Developmental technician vs developmental specialist skills

Common developmental technician skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 16%
  • Direct Care, 13%
  • Autism, 9%
  • Food Preparation, 9%
  • Behavioral Training, 8%
  • Mental Health, 8%
Common developmental specialist skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Developmental Delays, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%

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