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Disability specialist vs human service specialist

The differences between disability specialists and human service 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 disability specialist and a human service specialist. Additionally, a human service specialist has an average salary of $49,025, which is higher than the $48,662 average annual salary of a disability specialist.

The top three skills for a disability specialist include social work, rehabilitation and developmental disabilities. The most important skills for a human service specialist are mental health, social work, and program eligibility.

Disability specialist vs human service specialist overview

Disability SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Yearly salary$48,662$49,025
Hourly rate$23.40$23.57
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs24,669124,752
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a disability specialist do?

A disability examiner is primarily in charge of conducting assessments and examinations to determine an applicant's eligibility for disability benefits and programs. Their duties usually include reviewing medical and health records, conducting interviews, and evaluating applications. There are also times when a disability examiner must directly coordinate with healthcare providers to obtain and assess records. Moreover, as a disability examiner, it is essential to assist clients by answering inquiries, providing instructions and advice, and helping them understand the extent of procedures.

What does a human service specialist do?

Human services specialists provide a range of social services with the purpose of improving the quality of life of people they serve. They can work for organizations, including housing associations, mental health facilities, rehabilitation centers, residential care homes, and food banks. Most of their duties involve interacting with people and conduct counseling. This job also requires active listening skills to comprehend your clients easily and understand their needs to provide care for people in difficult circumstances.

Disability specialist vs human service specialist salary

Disability specialists and human service specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Disability SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Average salary$48,662$49,025
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $80,000Between $33,000 And $71,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCOakland, CA
Highest paying stateIllinoisHawaii
Best paying companyStanford UniversityRegeneron
Best paying industryGovernmentGovernment

Differences between disability specialist and human service specialist education

There are a few differences between a disability specialist and a human service specialist in terms of educational background:

Disability SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 60%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonSUNY at Binghamton

Disability specialist vs human service specialist demographics

Here are the differences between disability specialists' and human service specialists' demographics:

Disability SpecialistHuman Service Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 23.7% Female, 76.3%Male, 22.5% Female, 77.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.6% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 15.1% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.1% Asian, 6.9% White, 52.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between disability specialist and human service specialist duties and responsibilities

Disability specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage programs dealing with TSG, COPA and enrollment.3.
  • Manage and maintain eight classrooms with twenty-one staff members and 102 EHS and HS children.2.
  • Track and manage HR/Payroll leave records; liaise with payroll to ensure accurate leave usage and balance.
  • Refer staff to disability case managers, vocational rehabilitation services or community resources.
  • Provide clients assistance with daily (ADL's).
  • Attend various funding meetings, rallies and trainings pertaining to EHS and HS.4.
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Human service specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage the MSW staff and coordinate all social service and select patient service activities.
  • Establish effective liaisons with community agencies to ensure coordination of services to patients.
  • Developed/Implement a health education/risk reduction program for HIV/AIDS patients engaging in high-risk behaviors.
  • Help clients reach self-sufficiency by referring clients to employment and vocational rehabilitation agencies.
  • Work with employees of local drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers to determine eligibility for inpatients.
  • Assign as a provider enrollment specialist responsible for credentialing and enrolling new medical providers into the Medicaid provider network.
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Disability specialist vs human service specialist skills

Common disability specialist skills
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Rehabilitation, 11%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 8%
  • Social Security Administration, 5%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Workers Compensation, 4%
Common human service specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 13%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Program Eligibility, 6%
  • Medicaid, 5%
  • Social Services, 5%
  • Community Resources, 5%

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