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Employment specialist vs employment consultant

The differences between employment specialists and employment consultants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an employment specialist and an employment consultant. Additionally, an employment specialist has an average salary of $39,530, which is higher than the $37,015 average annual salary of an employment consultant.

The top three skills for an employment specialist include customer service, rehabilitation and mental health. The most important skills for an employment consultant are human resources, rehabilitation, and project management.

Employment specialist vs employment consultant overview

Employment SpecialistEmployment Consultant
Yearly salary$39,530$37,015
Hourly rate$19.00$17.80
Growth rate8%8%
Number of jobs59,75731,418
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age4141
Years of experience66

What does an employment specialist do?

An employment specialist deals with job applicants to match their talents to a specific job that properly suits them. Employment specialists assist applicants or the unemployed by testing their skills, conducting mock interviews, and creating a proper resume. They can work separately within a company or be part of the human resources department to assist in the hiring process. Employment specialists are often tasked to handle company layoffs and act as the liaison officer between the employer and the Department of Labor.

What does an employment consultant do?

An employment consultant counsels and supports clients in pursuit of career growth. They meet with clients to identify their career plans and needs, and from there, they conduct research and assessments to develop strategies and roadmaps that will help the clients. Aside from providing pre and post-employment support, an employment consultant also creates and organizes training activities to help the clients prepare for various tasks and job responsibilities, liaises with external parties to arrange services, and coordinates with potential employers.

Employment specialist vs employment consultant salary

Employment specialists and employment consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Employment SpecialistEmployment Consultant
Average salary$39,530$37,015
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $52,000Between $27,000 And $50,000
Highest paying CityWashington, DCLos Gatos, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiHawaii
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyDeloitte
Best paying industryProfessionalGovernment

Differences between employment specialist and employment consultant education

There are a few differences between an employment specialist and an employment consultant in terms of educational background:

Employment SpecialistEmployment Consultant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of PennsylvaniaUniversity of Pennsylvania

Employment specialist vs employment consultant demographics

Here are the differences between employment specialists' and employment consultants' demographics:

Employment SpecialistEmployment Consultant
Average age4141
Gender ratioMale, 30.4% Female, 69.6%Male, 44.7% Female, 55.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage9%9%

Differences between employment specialist and employment consultant duties and responsibilities

Employment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partner agencies to share leads, information and execute OJT agreements.
  • Assist in managing unemployment claims, wrongful termination claims, civil and EEOC suits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of vocational rehabilitation theory and practice along with the hiring needs and job requirements of the local business community.
  • Present information about vocational rehabilitation to community.
  • Maintain records according to CARF standards.
  • Verify identity with I9 documents like driver license; passports and social security cards.
  • Show more

Employment consultant example responsibilities.

  • Manage payroll, benefits and insurance administration.
  • Provide individual and group counseling sessions, social rehabilitation and group activities.
  • Interview and evaluate disabled applicants to determine type and degree of handicap and feasibility of rehabilitation and job placement activities.
  • Check work history, criminal background and e-verify of employees.
  • Promote OJT to local companies.
  • Mediate problems with OJT participants and employers.
  • Show more

Employment specialist vs employment consultant skills

Common employment specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common employment consultant skills
  • Human Resources, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 10%
  • Project Management, 10%
  • PowerPoint, 9%
  • Payroll, 9%
  • Employment Services, 6%

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