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The differences between protective service specialists and school social workers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a protective service specialist and a school social worker. Additionally, a school social worker has an average salary of $54,856, which is higher than the $50,293 average annual salary of a protective service specialist.
The top three skills for a protective service specialist include social work, child safety and foster care. The most important skills for a school social worker are social work, social emotional, and IEP.
| Protective Service Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Yearly salary | $50,293 | $54,856 |
| Hourly rate | $24.18 | $26.37 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 81,211 | 122,376 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Protective Service Specialists provide information to individuals and families to achieve self-sufficiency through child support services and employment opportunities. Most of these specialists recommend family services include parenting education, drug counseling, and financial base services. They review applicant documentation to determine eligibility for federal and state aid programs, including food stamps, Medicaid, and emergency assistance. Also, protective service specialists assist families with the resources that can help resolve the issues that risk the children's placement. They may even provide staff supervision about referrals obtained to ensure that they meet the criteria for services and intervention.
A school social worker specializes in counseling students, families, and faculty members. They are responsible for coordinating with the school to develop programs that prioritize the students' emotional and psychological well-being, respond to any issues and concerns, build rapport to identify their needs, and communicate with support services to provide necessary assistance to any students or families. There are also instances when a school social worker must assist teachers in handling students with behavioral issues, investigating the underlying reasons. Moreover, it is crucial to identify any signs of neglect or abuse, conducting interventive measures right away.
Protective service specialists and school social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Protective Service Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Average salary | $50,293 | $54,856 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $76,000 | Between $40,000 And $73,000 |
| Highest paying City | Baltimore, MD | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Washington |
| Best paying company | Parsons | Boston Public Schools |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a protective service specialist and a school social worker in terms of educational background:
| Protective Service Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Master's Degree, 51% |
| Most common major | Social Work | Social Work |
| Most common college | SUNY at Albany | Boston College |
Here are the differences between protective service specialists' and school social workers' demographics:
| Protective Service Specialist | School Social Worker | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.5% Female, 65.5% | Male, 17.5% Female, 82.5% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% | Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 10% | 10% |