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Radiation safety officer vs health specialist

The differences between radiation safety officers and health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a radiation safety officer and a health specialist. Additionally, a radiation safety officer has an average salary of $78,825, which is higher than the $47,740 average annual salary of a health specialist.

The top three skills for a radiation safety officer include safety procedures, radiation safety and health physics. The most important skills for a health specialist are patients, health education, and public health.

Radiation safety officer vs health specialist overview

Radiation Safety OfficerHealth Specialist
Yearly salary$78,825$47,740
Hourly rate$37.90$22.95
Growth rate6%6%
Number of jobs70,33172,463
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4545
Years of experience66

Radiation safety officer vs health specialist salary

Radiation safety officers and health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Radiation Safety OfficerHealth Specialist
Average salary$78,825$47,740
Salary rangeBetween $48,000 And $127,000Between $31,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-City of Seattle
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between radiation safety officer and health specialist education

There are a few differences between a radiation safety officer and a health specialist in terms of educational background:

Radiation Safety OfficerHealth Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 54%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Radiation safety officer vs health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between radiation safety officers' and health specialists' demographics:

Radiation Safety OfficerHealth Specialist
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 77.0% Female, 23.0%Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage7%7%

Differences between radiation safety officer and health specialist duties and responsibilities

Radiation safety officer example responsibilities.

  • Manage and facilitate extensive Safety/Security and HAZMAT training for all personnel.
  • Perform regulatory reviews in accordance with 10 CFR 50.59.
  • Distribute, collect, and return for analysis, employee quarterly and monthly dosimeters.
  • Craft and execute upgrade to hoisting & rigging practices in response to changing OSHA requirements.
  • Ensure several facilities are compliant with the federal requirements of 10 CFR 70 and their license.
  • Establish & oversee operating, emergency & ALARA procedures, & review them at least annually to ensure compliance.
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Health specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage and maintain medical and legal case files in compliance with HIPAA.
  • Hire, manage payroll and provide oversight for research and administrative assistants.
  • Provide and coordinate a wide range of rehabilitation counseling and case management services to disable veterans and other eligible individuals.
  • Coordinate and facilitate workgroup and committee meetings.
  • Assist in running a life skills group for young adults with autism.
  • Work one-on-one with an individual who have autism and are visually impair.
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Radiation safety officer vs health specialist skills

Common radiation safety officer skills
  • Safety Procedures, 9%
  • Radiation Safety, 8%
  • Health Physics, 7%
  • RSO, 6%
  • NRC, 5%
  • Radiology, 4%
Common health specialist skills
  • Patients, 12%
  • Health Education, 8%
  • Public Health, 8%
  • Data Collection, 6%
  • Veterans, 5%
  • Technical Assistance, 5%

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