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The differences between lay health advocates and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a lay health advocate, 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 $35,126 average annual salary of a lay health advocate.
The top three skills for a lay health advocate include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.
| Lay Health Advocate | Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $35,126 | $47,740 |
| Hourly rate | $16.89 | $22.95 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 6% |
| Number of jobs | 62,717 | 72,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
A lay health advocate helps the patients prepare for medical appointments, update and organize physicians' information. After the medical appointments, a lay health advocate offers follow-up care services by monitoring patient conditions and ensuring they follow all treatment recommendations. They assist patients in scheduling additional appointments and arrange their medications. These professionals advise patients on the best ways to maintain control over medical care and prevent more medical issues like fall injuries.
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.
Lay health advocates and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Lay Health Advocate | Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $35,126 | $47,740 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $44,000 | Between $31,000 And $72,000 |
| Highest paying City | Johnston, RI | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Hampshire | Alaska |
| Best paying company | NRDC | City of Seattle |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a lay health advocate and a health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Lay Health Advocate | Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 60% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between lay health advocates' and health specialists' demographics:
| Lay Health Advocate | Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 25.9% Female, 74.1% | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.9% Unknown, 6.4% Hispanic or Latino, 20.2% Asian, 6.0% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% | 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 | 21% | 7% |