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Life skills trainer vs life skills instructor

The differences between life skills trainers and life skills instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a life skills trainer and a life skills instructor. Additionally, a life skills instructor has an average salary of $30,844, which is higher than the $30,822 average annual salary of a life skills trainer.

The top three skills for a life skills trainer include medication administration, therapeutic recreation and medical appointments. The most important skills for a life skills instructor are developmental disabilities, CPR, and kids.

Life skills trainer vs life skills instructor overview

Life Skills TrainerLife Skills Instructor
Yearly salary$30,822$30,844
Hourly rate$14.82$14.83
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs39,66664,039
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a life skills trainer do?

Life skills trainers are personal health professionals who provide training assistance and supervision to patients, such as personal care, financial management, and social integration. These trainers are required to assist their clients with disabilities with daily living activities while documenting their behaviors and personal hygiene. They can organize therapeutic activities for individuals or groups to maximize their quality of life. Life skills trainers must also assist in meal preparation as well as perform tasks that include glucose monitoring, insulin therapy, and diabetes management.

What does a life skills instructor do?

A life skills instructor advises people that are seeking support and coaching. They are responsible for helping them learn and develop skills like doing day-to-day tasks, interacting with other people, caring for themselves, as well as doing basic duties. Also, they can offer to coach for playing sports, learning new things, doing different exercises, and tips for employment.

Life skills trainer vs life skills instructor salary

Life skills trainers and life skills instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Life Skills TrainerLife Skills Instructor
Average salary$30,822$30,844
Salary rangeBetween $22,000 And $41,000Between $21,000 And $44,000
Highest paying City-Norwich, CT
Highest paying state-Connecticut
Best paying company-University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry-Professional

Differences between life skills trainer and life skills instructor education

There are a few differences between a life skills trainer and a life skills instructor in terms of educational background:

Life Skills TrainerLife Skills Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 53%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Life skills trainer vs life skills instructor demographics

Here are the differences between life skills trainers' and life skills instructors' demographics:

Life Skills TrainerLife Skills Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 33.9% Female, 66.1%Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between life skills trainer and life skills instructor duties and responsibilities

Life skills trainer example responsibilities.

  • Train and experience at managing challenging classroom situations using CPI methods and positive behavior reinforcement practices.
  • Deliver individual counseling and perform crisis intervention duties including reporting suicidal patients.
  • Cultivate a culture of community by providing community integration at a residential rehabilitation facility for persons with severe brain injuries.
  • Acquire CPR and life skills certifications.
  • Perform when and if need for first aid and or CPR.
  • Assist clients with proper ADL needs, such as showering, providing meals, and cleaning rooms.
  • Show more

Life skills instructor example responsibilities.

  • Train and experience at managing challenging classroom situations using CPI methods and positive behavior reinforcement practices.
  • Conduct classes to certify individuals in first aid, CPR, a, environmental emergencies, and pediatric asthma care.
  • Teach lifesaving CPR, a (automate external defibrillator), and first aid courses for the medical and non-medical communities.
  • Provide educational, residential, and support services for children and adolescents with development disabilities, including autism.
  • Provide services to adolescents and adults requesting treatment and educational programs that have been diagnose with autism and behavior disorders.
  • Provide leadership and direction to new and existing staff members; identify training development assuring that training/certification are obtained and maintain.

Life skills trainer vs life skills instructor skills

Common life skills trainer skills
  • Medication Administration, 17%
  • Therapeutic Recreation, 16%
  • Medical Appointments, 9%
  • Direct Support, 8%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • CPR, 6%
Common life skills instructor skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 10%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Kids, 7%
  • Adaptive, 6%
  • Independent Living, 6%
  • Incident Reports, 5%

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