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The differences between immigration specialists and attorneys can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an immigration specialist and an attorney. Additionally, an attorney has an average salary of $109,476, which is higher than the $58,674 average annual salary of an immigration specialist.
The top three skills for an immigration specialist include HR, immigration counsel and immigration law. The most important skills for an attorney are litigation, legal research, and law firm.
| Immigration Specialist | Attorney | |
| Yearly salary | $58,674 | $109,476 |
| Hourly rate | $28.21 | $52.63 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 4,165 | 10,991 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
To be an immigration specialist is to be at the center of all things foreign. Immigration specialists are tasked with assisting foreign nationals with the nitty-gritty of immigration and immigration procedures. They lead immigration programs, ensure all paperwork required both from immigration and Visa applications is completed, and process tax treaty evaluations. They are ultimately in charge of enforcing compliance with all immigration rules and regulations.
Generally, an attorney's responsibility is to advise the client with an ongoing lawsuit on the legal procedures and provide strategies to resolve the case as early as possible. An attorney compiles necessary documents or any records for appeal and client's defense. Attorneys must acquire strong problem-solving and critical-thinking skills to mediate disputes and settle pending litigation for the client's best interest. In some cases, an attorney's procedure depends on any evidence and research presented during the trial period. An attorney is expected to present clients on legal proceedings, seeking justice and justifying the law.
Immigration specialists and attorneys have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Immigration Specialist | Attorney | |
| Average salary | $58,674 | $109,476 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $102,000 | Between $69,000 And $172,000 |
| Highest paying City | Cambridge, MA | White Plains, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | Atlassian | Thompson Coburn |
| Best paying industry | Technology | - |
There are a few differences between an immigration specialist and an attorney in terms of educational background:
| Immigration Specialist | Attorney | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Doctoral Degree, 48% |
| Most common major | Business | Law |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between immigration specialists' and attorneys' demographics:
| Immigration Specialist | Attorney | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.8% Female, 75.2% | Male, 49.9% Female, 50.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 5.5% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.7% Asian, 6.3% White, 75.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 5.6% Unknown, 4.4% Hispanic or Latino, 7.8% Asian, 6.4% White, 75.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |