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The differences between industrial hygiene technicians and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an industrial hygiene technician and a health specialist. Additionally, an industrial hygiene technician has an average salary of $51,966, which is higher than the $47,740 average annual salary of a health specialist.
The top three skills for an industrial hygiene technician include asbestos, OSHA and air quality. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.
| Industrial Hygiene Technician | Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $51,966 | $47,740 |
| Hourly rate | $24.98 | $22.95 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 16,439 | 72,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Industrial hygienists identify health risks in the workplace and build methods for mitigating them. They measure the impact of these risks on workers. These health risks may include air quality, noise emissions, and ionic radiation. This position requires experience in the application of scientific methods, the ability to collect and analyze data, and the ability to use the results of that analysis to give guidance to employees. They work closely with management, both reporting and making recommendations to improve the quality of the industrial environment.
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.
Industrial hygiene technicians and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Industrial Hygiene Technician | Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $51,966 | $47,740 |
| Salary range | Between $37,000 And $72,000 | Between $31,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | City of Seattle |
| Best paying industry | - | Government |
There are a few differences between an industrial hygiene technician and a health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Industrial Hygiene Technician | Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Public Health | Psychology |
| Most common college | Duke University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between industrial hygiene technicians' and health specialists' demographics:
| Industrial Hygiene Technician | Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 75.8% Female, 24.2% | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 7% | 7% |