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The differences between health support specialists and desk clerks supervisors 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 support staff takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a support staff has an average salary of $31,772, 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 support staff are customer service, developmental disabilities, and mental health.
| Health Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Yearly salary | $31,552 | $31,772 |
| Hourly rate | $15.17 | $15.28 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 36% |
| Number of jobs | 152,897 | 161,915 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| 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.
School support staff provide specialized instructional and student support while utilizing school facilities. They often include diverse staff members whose main role is to ensure that students learn in a supportive and safe learning environment. It is also their duty to enhance school climate by promoting the involvement of parent and family in education as well as to encourage trusting, positive student relationships. They should inhibit positive behavior and send uplifting messages to students as they often connect with them throughout the day.
Health support specialists and desk clerks supervisors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Average salary | $31,552 | $31,772 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $42,000 | Between $25,000 And $40,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Seattle, WA |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | Medtronic | Lakeland Electric |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Finance |
There are a few differences between a health support specialist and a support staff in terms of educational background:
| Health Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 46% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Business |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | Duke University |
Here are the differences between health support specialists' and desk clerks supervisors' demographics:
| Health Support Specialist | Support Staff | |
| Average age | 42 | 47 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 31.2% Female, 68.8% |
| 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, 8.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.9% Asian, 6.2% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 8% |