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Reading tutor vs reading specialist

The differences between reading tutors and reading specialists 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 $32,191 average annual salary of a reading tutor.

The top three skills for a reading tutor include kids, math and professional development. The most important skills for a reading specialist are language arts, student learning, and assessment data.

Reading tutor vs reading specialist overview

Reading TutorReading Specialist
Yearly salary$32,191$57,978
Hourly rate$15.48$27.87
Growth rate4%4%
Number of jobs34,1132,386
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age4243
Years of experience--

What does a reading tutor do?

Typically working with children, a reading tutor facilitates activities that enhance students' reading and comprehension skills. They may provide tutoring sessions in a one-on-one or group setting, depending on their place of employment. Their responsibilities include developing lesson plans and activities in adherence to the students' needs, conducting skills assessments, preparing quizzes and tests, grading performances, and assisting students in the areas they find difficult. Moreover, as a reading tutor, it is essential to motivate students to reach goals while making them feel comfortable throughout the lessons.

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.

Reading tutor vs reading specialist salary

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

Reading TutorReading Specialist
Average salary$32,191$57,978
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $49,000Between $43,000 And $76,000
Highest paying CitySanta Barbara, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateHawaiiAlaska
Best paying companyIrving IsdCentral State University
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between reading tutor and reading specialist education

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

Reading TutorReading Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorElementary EducationElementary Education
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityNorthwestern University

Reading tutor vs reading specialist demographics

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

Reading TutorReading Specialist
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 18.8% Female, 81.2%Male, 13.3% Female, 86.7%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.4% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black 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%
LGBT Percentage11%8%

Differences between reading tutor and reading specialist duties and responsibilities

Reading tutor example responsibilities.

  • Manage a phonetic/whole language curriculum for middle/high school students with various learning differences.
  • Work with students with ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities.
  • Perform the role of a reading tutor for students that have English as a second language (ESL).
  • Design and implement lessons focuse on fluency, comprehension, vocabulary, and phonemic awareness.
  • Prepare and implement IEP goals.
  • Provide accommodations for IEP students.
  • Show more

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

Reading tutor vs reading specialist skills

Common reading tutor skills
  • Kids, 35%
  • Math, 26%
  • Professional Development, 24%
  • AmeriCorps, 6%
  • English Language, 2%
  • ESL, 2%
Common reading specialist skills
  • Language Arts, 6%
  • Student Learning, 5%
  • Assessment Data, 5%
  • K-8, 4%
  • Staff Development, 4%
  • Instructional Strategies, 4%

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