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Extension educator vs county extension agent

The differences between extension educators and county extension agents can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a county extension agent has an average salary of $45,379, which is higher than the $44,053 average annual salary of an extension educator.

The top three skills for an extension educator include program development, food safety and natural resources. The most important skills for a county extension agent are consumer sciences, natural resources, and food safety.

Extension educator vs county extension agent overview

Extension EducatorCounty Extension Agent
Yearly salary$44,053$45,379
Hourly rate$21.18$21.82
Growth rate--
Number of jobs16,74436,375
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Average age4444
Years of experience--

What does an extension educator do?

Extension educators simplify educational programs for a targeted audience. They help educate the communities outside of a school's campus so that those communities can apply their new knowledge to their daily activities. An extension educator must interpret research findings, develop those findings into educational materials that cater to a diverse range of people, and oversee the program from development to execution.

What does a county extension agent do?

A county extension agent is responsible for traveling to different areas within a county, facilitating various learning programs, and helping citizens learn about the advances and topics of industries like agriculture. They are responsible for coordinating with governmental and non-governmental organizations, developing materials to promote agricultural research, empowering investment opportunities, and facilitating meetings. Most county extension agents work for the local government and function in a team setting.

Extension educator vs county extension agent salary

Extension educators and county extension agents have different pay scales, as shown below.

Extension EducatorCounty Extension Agent
Average salary$44,053$45,379
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $77,000Between $24,000 And $83,000
Highest paying CityLebanon, PAHampton, VA
Highest paying statePennsylvaniaPennsylvania
Best paying companyUniversity of Massachusetts BostonUniversity of Georgia Small Business Development Center
Best paying industryManufacturingEducation

Differences between extension educator and county extension agent education

There are a few differences between an extension educator and a county extension agent in terms of educational background:

Extension EducatorCounty Extension Agent
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 70%
Most common majorPlant SciencesGeneral Education, Specific Areas
Most common collegeCornell UniversityCornell University

Extension educator vs county extension agent demographics

Here are the differences between extension educators' and county extension agents' demographics:

Extension EducatorCounty Extension Agent
Average age4444
Gender ratioMale, 29.3% Female, 70.7%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 13.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 67.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%Black or African American, 12.4% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 5.4% White, 61.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage16%16%

Differences between extension educator and county extension agent duties and responsibilities

Extension educator example responsibilities.

  • Develop, implement and evaluate educational programs relating to commercial and consumer horticulture IPM including field demonstration trials.
  • Design and implement community trash disposal, recycling and composting project.

County extension agent example responsibilities.

  • Develop, implement and evaluate educational programs relating to commercial and consumer horticulture IPM including field demonstration trials.
  • Design and implement community trash disposal, recycling and composting project.

Extension educator vs county extension agent skills

Common extension educator skills
  • Program Development, 26%
  • Food Safety, 12%
  • Natural Resources, 7%
  • Needs Assessment, 5%
  • Community Organizations, 5%
  • Economic Development, 4%
Common county extension agent skills
  • Consumer Sciences, 25%
  • Natural Resources, 17%
  • Food Safety, 8%
  • County Government, 7%
  • Community Development, 7%
  • Nutrition Education, 4%

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