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The differences between probation and parole officers and treatment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a probation and parole officer and a treatment specialist. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, which is higher than the $46,271 average annual salary of a probation and parole officer.
The top three skills for a probation and parole officer include social work, criminal justice and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a treatment specialist are social work, mental health, and rehabilitation.
| Probation And Parole Officer | Treatment Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $46,271 | $53,673 |
| Hourly rate | $22.25 | $25.80 |
| Growth rate | - | - |
| Number of jobs | 55,952 | 67,604 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A probation and parole officer is responsible for monitoring the activities and behavior of a probationary or paroled offender outside the prison, making sure they never commit crimes again or return to the life of crime. Part of their job is to study the offenders' criminal history, develop and recommend rehabilitation and treatment plans, coordinate other services, and ensure that the offender knows the conditions of their release. They maintain an active communication line with the offenders and their families, conduct regular interviews and assessments, and communicate with rehabilitation and treatment programs to ensure the offenders' attendance and compliance.
The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Probation and parole officers and treatment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Probation And Parole Officer | Treatment Specialist | |
| Average salary | $46,271 | $53,673 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $69,000 | Between $34,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | Minot, ND | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | State of North Dakota | Delaware State Government |
| Best paying industry | Government | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a probation and parole officer and a treatment specialist in terms of educational background:
| Probation And Parole Officer | Treatment Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 76% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Criminal Justice | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between probation and parole officers' and treatment specialists' demographics:
| Probation And Parole Officer | Treatment Specialist | |
| Average age | 44 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 46.6% Female, 53.4% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 2.8% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 1.9% White, 66.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |