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The differences between health support specialists and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a health support specialist, becoming a health specialist takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a health specialist has an average salary of $47,740, which is higher than the $31,552 average annual salary of a health support specialist.
The top three skills for a health support specialist include patients, social work and CPR. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.
| Health Support Specialist | Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,552 | $47,740 |
| Hourly rate | $15.17 | $22.95 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 152,897 | 72,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
Health Support Specialists are professionals who assist medical professionals in providing health care to improve or restore the mental or physical well-being of their patients. These specialists must create health plans for families while accompanying children with their appointments to receive the necessary health care that is mandated by the federal government. They are required to provide mental health support services by conducting community outreach programs with local vendors and organizations. Health Support Specialists must also conduct counseling sessions for adolescents about substance abuse.
A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.
Health support specialists and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Support Specialist | Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,552 | $47,740 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $42,000 | Between $31,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Medtronic | City of Seattle |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Government |
There are a few differences between a health support specialist and a health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Health Support Specialist | Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between health support specialists' and health specialists' demographics:
| Health Support Specialist | Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 11% | 7% |