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Service provider vs volunteer

The differences between service providers and volunteers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a service provider and a volunteer. Additionally, a service provider has an average salary of $35,089, which is higher than the $31,227 average annual salary of a volunteer.

The top three skills for a service provider include customer service, cleanliness and social work. The most important skills for a volunteer are child care, patient charts, and patient care.

Service provider vs volunteer overview

Service ProviderVolunteer
Yearly salary$35,089$31,227
Hourly rate$16.87$15.01
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs25,5529,583
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a service provider do?

Service providers are individuals or entities offering services to an organization and other parties. They provide storage, processing, or network services. The providers offer organizations real estate, communications, education, legal, and consulting services. It is their job to complete the requested tasks of their clients, provide solutions to network problems, and recommend options based on the needs of their clients. They also suggest changes or opportunities necessary within the organization.

What does a volunteer do?

Volunteers are usually unpaid individuals who render their service to a company or organization. Most of the time, volunteers are skilled in specific areas needed by the organization but prefer to provide free service. They may be employed in another organization, but they lend their time and talent to another organization or company to give back to the community. They raise funds, create awareness, and work on the ground. Volunteers usually choose a cause or advocacy close to their heart, such as teaching children, taking care of the elderly, coaching sports teams, cleaning up communities, and caring for animals.

Service provider vs volunteer salary

Service providers and volunteers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Service ProviderVolunteer
Average salary$35,089$31,227
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $51,000Between $23,000 And $41,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateHawaii-
Best paying companyMeta-
Best paying industryInsurance-

Differences between service provider and volunteer education

There are a few differences between a service provider and a volunteer in terms of educational background:

Service ProviderVolunteer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyBusiness
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonCalifornia State University - Fullerton

Service provider vs volunteer demographics

Here are the differences between service providers' and volunteers' demographics:

Service ProviderVolunteer
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 39.3% Female, 60.7%Male, 36.0% Female, 64.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 18.5% Asian, 7.1% White, 56.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%Black or African American, 13.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.5% Asian, 7.3% White, 52.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between service provider and volunteer duties and responsibilities

Service provider example responsibilities.

  • Develop contracting strategy to build capacity and achieve ongoing compliance with Medicare and Medicaid provider network adequacy requirements.
  • Certify to administer first aid, CPR; dispense medication.
  • Certify in first aid and CPR programs via company training.
  • Ensure contracts comply with HIPAA, fraud and abuse regulations and CMS guidelines.
  • Provide assistance to DHS provider staff in order for them to better navigate through the social service systems.
  • Exceed company standards for unit cleanliness and client/partner satisfaction.
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Volunteer example responsibilities.

  • Develop and manage web presence, including Facebook account and other social media business accounts!
  • Train staff members on managing contacts, scheduling programs, and running analytic reports with the Salesforce program.
  • Lead team-building exercises and facilitate group discussions on leadership topics.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Supervise and maintain safe play for children's soccer games.
  • Teach GED to refugees and survivors of torture seeking to enroll in college.
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Service provider vs volunteer skills

Common service provider skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Cleanliness, 20%
  • Social Work, 7%
  • Mental Health, 5%
  • Patients, 4%
  • Community Resources, 2%
Common volunteer skills
  • Child Care, 12%
  • Patient Charts, 10%
  • Patient Care, 10%
  • Front Desk, 9%
  • Community Outreach, 9%
  • Mathematics, 9%

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