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Habilitation specialist vs child life specialist

The differences between habilitation specialists and child life specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a habilitation specialist and a child life specialist. Additionally, a child life specialist has an average salary of $55,201, which is higher than the $34,597 average annual salary of a habilitation specialist.

The top three skills for a habilitation specialist include developmental disabilities, CPR and behavioral issues. The most important skills for a child life specialist are patients, child development, and patient care.

Habilitation specialist vs child life specialist overview

Habilitation SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Yearly salary$34,597$55,201
Hourly rate$16.63$26.54
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs82,12490,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

Habilitation specialist vs child life specialist salary

Habilitation specialists and child life specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Habilitation SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Average salary$34,597$55,201
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $43,000Between $31,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CitySpokane, WASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyNew York State Restaurant AssociationL.E.K. Consulting
Best paying industryNon Profits-

Differences between habilitation specialist and child life specialist education

There are a few differences between a habilitation specialist and a child life specialist in terms of educational background:

Habilitation SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 52%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Habilitation specialist vs child life specialist demographics

Here are the differences between habilitation specialists' and child life specialists' demographics:

Habilitation SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 28.2% Female, 71.8%Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 6.6% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between habilitation specialist and child life specialist duties and responsibilities

Habilitation specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide client with care, assist with performing ADL's, hygiene, medication, meal preparation, cleaning, transport.
  • Assist patients with medication management, monitor blood sugars and accompany client to medical appointments.
  • Provide direct supervision, observation, security and rehabilitation of delinquent adolescent females from diverse socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.
  • Complete training in first aid and CPR.
  • Assist the ISP team in creating new outcomes for consumer training/ISP.
  • Construct and maintain budget following NYS guidelines including purchase orders, funds distribution, and financial records.
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Child life specialist example responsibilities.

  • Observe activities and respond accordingly including emergency situations such as evacuation, CPR, or first aid.
  • Experience working with kids diagnose with bipolar, schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, depression among other disorders.
  • Provide valuable technical assistance to early childhood educators seeking resources on developing quality childcare environment.
  • Detail knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
  • Compile monthly statistical data on ADL caseload progress.
  • Exhibit patience, care, and compassion towards others.
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Habilitation specialist vs child life specialist skills

Common habilitation specialist skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 18%
  • CPR, 9%
  • Behavioral Issues, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Community Integration, 6%
  • OPWDD, 5%
Common child life specialist skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Child Development, 9%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Child Life Services, 5%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • CCLS, 4%

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