Learning design specialist vs specialist

The differences between learning design specialists and 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 learning design specialist, becoming a specialist takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a learning design specialist has an average salary of $72,967, which is higher than the $58,013 average annual salary of a specialist.

The top three skills for a learning design specialist include blended learning, instructional design and subject matter experts. The most important skills for a specialist are patients, customer service, and work ethic.

Learning design specialist vs specialist overview

	Learning Design Specialist	Specialist
Yearly salary	$72,967	$58,013
Hourly rate	$35.08	$27.89
Growth rate	8%	10%
Number of jobs	68,913	358,433
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Average age	44	42
Years of experience	4	2

What does a learning design specialist do?

A learning design specialist is responsible for creating instructional materials according to the learner's curriculum and evaluate existing educational resources for further improvements needed. Learning design specialists facilitate the development of educational software tools and technology and coordinate with the educators for testing. They also attend conferences and train instructors in utilizing learning materials. A learning design specialist must have excellent communication skills, as well as extensive knowledge of the learning practices, to recommend teaching methods based on the curriculum's standards.

What does a specialist do?

Specialists are employees who are responsible for specific tasks or activities in the department they are assigned to. The actions or tasks they work on are related to their educational background or work experiences. They are usually highly skilled in specializations related to the work they are assigned to. Specialists are also highly trained on the competencies that are required of their specialty. As such, they are focused on the skills and competencies that are needed to enhance their experience in their specific field further.

Learning design specialist vs specialist salary

Learning design specialists and specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Learning Design Specialist	Specialist
Average salary	$72,967	$58,013
Salary range	Between $58,000 And $91,000	Between $32,000 And $104,000
Highest paying City	Olympia, WA	Jersey City, NJ
Highest paying state	Wyoming	New Jersey
Best paying company	McKinsey & Company Inc	The Citadel
Best paying industry	Hospitality	-

Differences between learning design specialist and specialist education

There are a few differences between a learning design specialist and a specialist in terms of educational background:

	Learning Design Specialist	Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 49%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	University of Pennsylvania	Stanford University

Learning design specialist vs specialist demographics

Here are the differences between learning design specialists' and specialists' demographics:

	Learning Design Specialist	Specialist
Average age	44	42
Gender ratio	Male, 34.3% Female, 65.7%	Male, 47.5% Female, 52.5%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 5.9% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 10.5% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage	12%	11%

Differences between learning design specialist and specialist duties and responsibilities

Learning design specialist example responsibilities.

Mentore designers and manage a portfolio of design projects including classroom, elearning, blend and virtual projects.
Lead experiential learning in supervisory skills, conflict management, leadership, team building and organization process effectiveness.
Collaborate with internal SMEs and customers around the world.
Work with various faculty, SMEs, trainers and program managers.
Design new or modify existing materials as required and ensure SCORM compliance.
Utilize SolidWorks to design 3-D major transmission parts such as rollers and synchronous belt etc.

Specialist example responsibilities.

Create, manage, and assist users with SharePoint sites.
Manage an on-site IRB and company good clinical practice (GCP) inspection.
Manage SharePoint sites by creating, editing, and customizing company sites, libraries and security.
Manage the building of accounts, assigning of static IP's, and scheduling of business class installations.
Convert servers from UNIX to Linux, all hardware diagnostics and repair including printers/plotters/desktops etc.
Follow safety procedures such as maintenance of all equipment (Telxon scanners, terminals and ladders).

Learning design specialist vs specialist skills

Common learning design specialist skills

Blended Learning, 11%
Instructional Design, 11%
Subject Matter Experts, 10%
Led Training, 6%
Project Management, 5%
Course Content, 5%

Common specialist skills

Patients, 15%
Customer Service, 11%
Work Ethic, 5%
Patient Care, 4%
Exceptional Client, 4%
Troubleshoot, 4%

Learning Design Specialist vs. similar jobs

Learning Design Specialist related careers

Learning Design Specialist related jobs

What similar roles do

Zippia Careers
Business and Financial Industry
Learning Design Specialist
Learning Design Specialist vs Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse business and financial jobs