Food sanitarian vs health specialist

The differences between food sanitarians and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a food sanitarian and a health specialist. Additionally, a health specialist has an average salary of $47,740, which is higher than the $47,142 average annual salary of a food sanitarian.

The top three skills for a food sanitarian include food handling, FDA and . The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.

Food sanitarian vs health specialist overview

	Food Sanitarian	Health Specialist
Yearly salary	$47,142	$47,740
Hourly rate	$22.66	$22.95
Growth rate	6%	6%
Number of jobs	48,453	72,463
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	6	6

Food sanitarian vs health specialist salary

Food sanitarians and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Food Sanitarian	Health Specialist
Average salary	$47,142	$47,740
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $85,000	Between $31,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	-	San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	City of Seattle
Best paying industry	-	Government

Differences between food sanitarian and health specialist education

There are a few differences between a food sanitarian and a health specialist in terms of educational background:

	Food Sanitarian	Health Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 75%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Public Health	Psychology
Most common college	University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	University of Pennsylvania

Food sanitarian vs health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between food sanitarians' and health specialists' demographics:

	Food Sanitarian	Health Specialist
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 75.0% Female, 25.0%	Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.5% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 5.0% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between food sanitarian and health specialist duties and responsibilities

Food sanitarian example responsibilities.

Attend calibration meetings to ensure compliance with all applicable HACCP, state and local health codes.
Review client HACCP systems through identifying and monitoring critical control points, record keeping, and verification procedures.
Develop master sanitation periodic spreadsheet and direct compliance in a USDA facility.
Collect and process food samples using aseptic techniques, complete appropriate documentation and deliver to IDPH food borne illness investigation laboratory.

Health specialist example responsibilities.

Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
Hire, manage payroll and provide oversight for research and administrative assistants.
Provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disable veterans and other eligible individuals.
Coordinate and facilitate workgroup and committee meetings.
Assist in running a life skills group for young adults with autism.
Work one-on-one with an individual who have autism and are visually impair.

Food sanitarian vs health specialist skills

Common food sanitarian skills

Food Handling, 63%
FDA, 37%

Common health specialist skills

Patients, 12%
Health Education, 8%
Public Health, 8%
Data Collection, 6%
Veterans, 5%
Technical Assistance, 5%

Food Sanitarian vs. similar jobs

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Healthcare Practitioner and Technical Industry
Food Sanitarian
Food Sanitarian vs Health Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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