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The differences between disability specialists and school social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a disability specialist, becoming a school social worker takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, 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 school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.
| Disability Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $48,662 | $54,856 |
| Hourly rate | $23.40 | $26.37 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 24,669 | 122,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
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.
A school social worker specializes in counseling students, families, and faculty members. They are responsible for coordinating with the school to develop programs that prioritize the students' emotional and psychological well-being, respond to any issues and concerns, build rapport to identify their needs, and communicate with support services to provide necessary assistance to any students or families. There are also instances when a school social worker must assist teachers in handling students with behavioral issues, investigating the underlying reasons. Moreover, it is crucial to identify any signs of neglect or abuse, conducting interventive measures right away.
Disability specialists and school social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Disability Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Average salary | $48,662 | $54,856 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $80,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Washington, DC | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | Illinois | Washington |
| Best paying company | Stanford University | Boston Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a disability specialist and a school social worker in terms of educational background:
| Disability Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Business | Social Work |
| Most common college | SUNY at Binghamton | Boston College |
Here are the differences between disability specialists' and school social workers' demographics:
| Disability Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Average age | 43 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.7% Female, 76.3% | Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5% |
| Race ratio | Black 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, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 10% |