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Family educator vs youth worker

The differences between family educators and youth workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a family educator and a youth worker. Additionally, a family educator has an average salary of $35,404, which is higher than the $32,242 average annual salary of a youth worker.

The top three skills for a family educator include social work, child development and CPR. The most important skills for a youth worker are direct supervision, CPR, and crisis intervention.

Family educator vs youth worker overview

Family EducatorYouth Worker
Yearly salary$35,404$32,242
Hourly rate$17.02$15.50
Growth rate9%9%
Number of jobs24,95987,360
Job satisfaction-5
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age4242
Years of experience44

What does a family educator do?

A family educator ensures that parents are educated on their family members' nutritional, medical, and educational needs. These educators support and encourage self-sufficiency for the family that they work with by helping navigate family problems. They enable parents to obtain the education and skills to raise physically, emotionally, and psychologically healthy children. Family educators must have strong communication skills, good decision-making skills, strong self-esteem, and knowledge of human development.

What does a youth worker do?

Youth workers specialize in handling and providing support to young individuals with behavioral difficulties. They are primarily responsible for devising recreational projects, handling the budget, producing progress reports, managing intervention programs, and counseling troubled youth while keeping their information confidential. There may be instances where one must also search for opportunities and apply for funding or sponsorship. Furthermore, as a youth worker, it is vital to assess an individual's condition to determine their needs and ensure that they will receive the proper treatment.

Family educator vs youth worker salary

Family educators and youth workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family EducatorYouth Worker
Average salary$35,404$32,242
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $50,000Between $25,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City-Freehold, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-Salt Lake County
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between family educator and youth worker education

There are a few differences between a family educator and a youth worker in terms of educational background:

Family EducatorYouth Worker
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 63%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyCriminal Justice
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachSUNY at Albany

Family educator vs youth worker demographics

Here are the differences between family educators' and youth workers' demographics:

Family EducatorYouth Worker
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 19.7% Female, 80.3%Male, 42.6% Female, 57.4%
Race ratioBlack 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%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 Percentage10%10%

Differences between family educator and youth worker duties and responsibilities

Family educator example responsibilities.

  • Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.
  • Certify in CPR & first aid.
  • Perform developmental screenings and participate in IEP transition meetings.
  • Collaborate with special education teachers for implementation of IEP s for special needs children and curriculum development.
  • Mediate conflicts between patients, handle medical emergencies, assist patients in developing and implementing positive and cooperative living skills.
  • Determine participants' eligibility for program by gathering data and maintaining information to ensure clients are compliant for TANF program regulations.

Youth worker example responsibilities.

  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent compliance.
  • Certify in CPR, and basic first aid.
  • Demonstrate patience, compassion, and understanding while helping with homework.
  • Stay current with require safety certifications including CPR, first aid, and fire protection.
  • Conduct research, create newsletters and PowerPoint presentations.
  • Provide supervision and supportive rehabilitation for detain youths in a maximum security prison.
  • Show more

Family educator vs youth worker skills

Common family educator skills
  • Social Work, 17%
  • Child Development, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Childhood Education, 7%
  • Health Education, 7%
  • Community Resources, 6%
Common youth worker skills
  • Direct Supervision, 12%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 10%
  • at-Risk Youth, 8%
  • Youth Development, 6%
  • Role Model, 5%

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