Post job

Reading specialist vs teacher

The differences between reading specialists and teachers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a reading specialist has an average salary of $57,978, which is higher than the $47,989 average annual salary of a teacher.

The top three skills for a reading specialist include language arts, student learning and assessment data. The most important skills for a teacher are ESL, handle scheduling, and kids.

Reading specialist vs teacher overview

Reading SpecialistTeacher
Yearly salary$57,978$47,989
Hourly rate$27.87$23.07
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs2,38671,918
Job satisfaction-4.14
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age4342
Years of experience--

What does a reading specialist do?

Reach truck operators are responsible for safely using reach trucks (forklifts). They operate their reach truck to load, move, and unload new warehouse or sizeable retail store materials. Operators will need various mechanical and communication skills, as well as good visual acuity. Obtaining the proper licensure and understanding the safety protocols involved with heavy machinery is important to the job.

What does a teacher do?

Being a teacher is one of the most passionate professions, among others. Teachers educate, motivate, and guide every generation of learners to prepare them for the real world. Every teacher is unique and has their own teaching styles and methods depending on the subject they teach and the age of their students. Oftentimes they also function as a parent, counselor, coach, friend, and even a lawmaker. There is essentially no limit to the roles a teacher portrays.

Reading specialist vs teacher salary

Reading specialists and teachers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Reading SpecialistTeacher
Average salary$57,978$47,989
Salary rangeBetween $43,000 And $76,000Between $32,000 And $70,000
Highest paying CityNew York, NYBaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateAlaskaMaryland
Best paying companyCentral State UniversityKing Low Heywood Thomas
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between reading specialist and teacher education

There are a few differences between a reading specialist and a teacher in terms of educational background:

Reading SpecialistTeacher
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorElementary EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Reading specialist vs teacher demographics

Here are the differences between reading specialists' and teachers' demographics:

Reading SpecialistTeacher
Average age4342
Gender ratioMale, 13.3% Female, 86.7%Male, 25.7% Female, 74.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 11.7% Asian, 3.6% White, 70.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.9% Asian, 3.7% White, 68.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage8%9%

Differences between reading specialist and teacher duties and responsibilities

Reading specialist example responsibilities.

  • Assist children on the autism spectrum academically and socially to achieve integration into a mainstream educational environment.
  • Coordinate and direct the annual drama production.
  • Provide direct services to the RTI students through the best guide reading practices.
  • Coordinate and execute all festive cultural events for families of students in grades k-12.
  • Organize school-wide educational events and activities specific to the needs of children with autism.
  • Review basics of writing essays, discussion of reading selection, and development of writing skills.
  • Show more

Teacher example responsibilities.

  • Work closely with co-teacher to manage and co-teach curriculum to a large group.
  • Target at risk and high achieving students using levele readers and DRA strategies.
  • Lead debates with advance students on topics including globalization, economics, and political history.
  • Develop social studies and geography curriculum.
  • Provide kindergarten readiness in approaching phonemic awareness, phonics, and introductory math skills.
  • Attend and participate in ESL professional development activities, conferences/workshops, curriculum/program planning, & special events and activities.
  • Show more

Reading specialist vs teacher skills

Common reading specialist skills
  • Language Arts, 6%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Assessment Data, 5%
  • K-8, 4%
  • Staff Development, 4%
  • Instructional Strategies, 4%
Common teacher skills
  • ESL, 17%
  • Handle Scheduling, 15%
  • Kids, 12%
  • Classroom Management, 7%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Curriculum Development, 4%

Browse education, training, and library jobs