Post job

Residential specialist vs developmental specialist

The differences between residential specialists and developmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a residential specialist and a developmental specialist. Additionally, a developmental specialist has an average salary of $42,829, which is higher than the $33,451 average annual salary of a residential specialist.

The top three skills for a residential specialist include mental health, crisis intervention and CPR. The most important skills for a developmental specialist are social work, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Residential specialist vs developmental specialist overview

Residential SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Yearly salary$33,451$42,829
Hourly rate$16.08$20.59
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs49,4677,776
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a residential specialist do?

The residential specialist job is to provide quality support services to consumers that enhance physical, emotional, intellectual, vocational, communication, and social skills according to the individual's needs, abilities, and choices. Their duties and responsibilities include following the guidelines given by their agencies and assisting clients as needed according to their daily plan and schedule.

What does a developmental specialist do?

A developmental specialist typically works in the human resources department. Your job involves training employees and encouraging their peers to participate. Other duties include evaluating the company's HR and training programs, identifying the best type of training to ensure employee and company success, and designing and developing employee discussions, simulations, and exercises. In addition, you are expected to network with prospective donors and look for new funding sources. You are also expected to promote the organization's cause or work through advertisements, soirees, and literature.

Residential specialist vs developmental specialist salary

Residential specialists and developmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Residential SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average salary$33,451$42,829
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $44,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyUniversity of California, BerkeleyUMass Memorial Health
Best paying industryNon ProfitsProfessional

Differences between residential specialist and developmental specialist education

There are a few differences between a residential specialist and a developmental specialist in terms of educational background:

Residential SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 49%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Residential specialist vs developmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between residential specialists' and developmental specialists' demographics:

Residential SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 29.7% Female, 70.3%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.5% Asian, 6.4% White, 58.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between residential specialist and developmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Residential specialist example responsibilities.

  • Lead support groups with an emphasis on recovery and strength base techniques, DBT, CBT, self-care and coping skills.
  • Dispense medication, maintain all certification in CPR, first aid, and other educational and licensing requirements.
  • Promote continuity of care by accurately and completely communicating to other caregivers the status of patients for which care is provided.
  • Assist residents with their activities of daily living (ADL).
  • Provide a proactive therapeutic approach to prevent or deescalate any crisis situation per TCI regulations.
  • Help Alzheimer's residents with activities of daily living such as, bathing, brushing teeth, feeding, and activities.
  • Show more

Developmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
  • Team leader in charge of receiving referrals make for children on the autism spectrum, communication delays and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Participate in weekly individual therapy sessions with young children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Participate in transition classes for children transferring from EI services to daycare and Headstart settings.4.
  • Monitor the completion of ASQ's.
  • Show more

Residential specialist vs developmental specialist skills

Common residential specialist skills
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Patients, 6%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%
Common developmental specialist skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Developmental Delays, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%

Browse community and social services jobs