Forensic specialist vs specialist

The differences between forensic specialists and specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a forensic specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a specialist has an average salary of $58,013, which is higher than the $51,653 average annual salary of a forensic specialist.

The top three skills for a forensic specialist include social work, encase and criminal justice. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Forensic specialist vs specialist overview

	Forensic Specialist	Specialist
Yearly salary	$51,653	$58,013
Hourly rate	$24.83	$27.89
Growth rate	11%	10%
Number of jobs	1,338	358,433
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	38	42
Years of experience	4	2

What does a forensic specialist do?

Forensic Specialists analyze and evaluate physical evidence using different analysis methods like chemical, instrumental, microscopic, and physical. They are sometimes required to work with blood and other biological fluids, hair, gunshot residue, etc. Forensic Specialist duties depend on their area of expertise. Some specialists spend their days in a lab; others spend their visiting crime scenes searching for evidence. No matter what specialization they're in, their core responsibilities are to collect, document, preserve, test, and report evidence that is then submitted to those in charge of the case.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Forensic specialist vs specialist salary

Forensic specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Forensic Specialist	Specialist
Average salary	$51,653	$58,013
Salary range	Between $33,000 And $79,000	Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Santa Monica, CA	Jersey City, NJ
Highest paying state	Alaska	New Jersey
Best paying company	QED Group	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Government	-

Differences between forensic specialist and specialist education

There are a few differences between a forensic specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:

	Forensic Specialist	Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Criminal Justice	Business
Most common college	Stanford University	Stanford University

Forensic specialist vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between forensic specialists' and specialists' demographics:

	Forensic Specialist	Specialist
Average age	38	42
Gender ratio	Male, 49.1% Female, 50.9%	Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 6.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 10.1% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	8%	11%

Differences between forensic specialist and specialist duties and responsibilities

Forensic specialist example responsibilities.

Manage use and maintenance of company vehicle, surveying equip., cameras, and firearms.
Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Secure and track any DNA evidence submit for testing.
Examine evidence for the presence of biological material and collect potential DNA samples.
Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Assess for risk of suicide, homicide, psychosis and other safety concerns.

Specialist example responsibilities.

Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).

Forensic specialist vs specialist skills

Common forensic specialist skills

Social Work, 10%
Encase, 8%
Criminal Justice, 8%
Mental Health, 6%
Digital Forensics, 5%
Forensic Interviews, 5%

Common specialist skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 11%
Work Ethic, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Exceptional Client, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

Forensic Specialist vs. similar jobs

Forensic Specialist related careers

Forensic Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Life, Physical, and Social Science Industry
Forensic Specialist
Forensic Specialist vs Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs