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Program support specialist vs information specialist

The differences between program support specialists and information specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a program support specialist and an information specialist. Additionally, an information specialist has an average salary of $69,502, which is higher than the $39,327 average annual salary of a program support specialist.

The top three skills for a program support specialist include program support, veterans and powerpoint. The most important skills for an information specialist are patients, data entry, and customer service.

Program support specialist vs information specialist overview

Program Support SpecialistInformation Specialist
Yearly salary$39,327$69,502
Hourly rate$18.91$33.41
Growth rate10%10%
Number of jobs169,855121,168
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4242
Years of experience22

What does a program support specialist do?

A program support specialist is responsible for monitoring the overall program aspects of an organization from the conceptualization to the final execution. Program support specialists negotiate contracts and transactions with the suppliers and vendors for resources that meet the funding and budget limitations. They process documents and assist the program staff in coordinating with other organizations for program plans and potential sponsorships. A program support specialist must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in handling the program objectives and ensure client satisfaction.

What does an information specialist do?

An information specialist is responsible for obtaining data through various strategies such as surveys, research, and analysis. It is essential to coordinate with different teams to learn their data needs and utilize them upon gathering. There may also be instances where an information specialist must work with other groups for tasks, such as building databases and networks. Furthermore, it is essential to ensure data integrity, protect their source's identities, adhere to all the company's policies and regulations, and abide by the state law when gathering information.

Program support specialist vs information specialist salary

Program support specialists and information specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Program Support SpecialistInformation Specialist
Average salary$39,327$69,502
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $58,000Between $40,000 And $118,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HITrenton, NJ
Highest paying stateHawaiiNew Jersey
Best paying companyLos Alamos National LaboratoryCrowell & Moring
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between program support specialist and information specialist education

There are a few differences between a program support specialist and an information specialist in terms of educational background:

Program Support SpecialistInformation Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 58%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorBusinessBusiness
Most common collegeStanford UniversityStanford University

Program support specialist vs information specialist demographics

Here are the differences between program support specialists' and information specialists' demographics:

Program Support SpecialistInformation Specialist
Average age4242
Gender ratioMale, 24.7% Female, 75.3%Male, 33.9% Female, 66.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.8% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.0% Asian, 10.5% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 10.6% White, 56.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between program support specialist and information specialist duties and responsibilities

Program support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead SharePoint implementation project to include customize conference room application through design, beta testing, and phase roll out.
  • Participate in committee meetings by preparing minutes and presentation summaries, planning meeting agendas, and organizing and managing meeting logistics.
  • Enforce HIPAA compliance to ensure patient confidentiality without any violations to date.
  • Serve in advance level technical position in a high volume DMV regulatory unit.
  • Create and develop visual presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint.
  • Process independent corrections/updates to DMV records as determined through customer contact and research.
  • Show more

Information specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage windows patch upgrades and provide software pushes using Microsoft SCCM.
  • Manage university and small business research grants and evaluate vendor RFP responses.
  • Manage USAID OTI grants database to track and monitor implementation of program activities.
  • Manage network resources, including video conferences, printers, servers, PCs, and switches.
  • Manage redesign and CMS implementation for VermontAmerican.com.
  • Follow standard operating procedure docs access via SharePoint intranet.
  • Show more

Program support specialist vs information specialist skills

Common program support specialist skills
  • Program Support, 22%
  • Veterans, 6%
  • PowerPoint, 5%
  • Program Management, 4%
  • Data Entry, 4%
  • Community Resources, 4%
Common information specialist skills
  • Patients, 17%
  • Data Entry, 15%
  • Customer Service, 9%
  • FOIA, 8%
  • Management System, 5%
  • PowerPoint, 4%

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