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Social security specialist vs child life specialist

The differences between social security specialists and child life specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a child life specialist has an average salary of $55,201, which is higher than the $49,946 average annual salary of a social security specialist.

The top three skills for a social security specialist include social work, crisis intervention and foster care. The most important skills for a child life specialist are patients, child development, and patient care.

Social security specialist vs child life specialist overview

Social Security SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Yearly salary$49,946$55,201
Hourly rate$24.01$26.54
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs75,06490,517
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age4343
Years of experience-12

Social security specialist vs child life specialist salary

Social security specialists and child life specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Social Security SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Average salary$49,946$55,201
Salary rangeBetween $37,000 And $67,000Between $31,000 And $96,000
Highest paying CitySanta Monica, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAppleL.E.K. Consulting
Best paying industryGovernment-

Differences between social security specialist and child life specialist education

There are a few differences between a social security specialist and a child life specialist in terms of educational background:

Social Security SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 53%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorSocial WorkPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Southern CaliforniaNorthwestern University

Social security specialist vs child life specialist demographics

Here are the differences between social security specialists' and child life specialists' demographics:

Social Security SpecialistChild Life Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 34.0% Female, 66.0%Male, 24.9% Female, 75.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 8.6% Unknown, 6.3% Hispanic or Latino, 16.3% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 15.6% Asian, 7.0% White, 60.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage21%11%

Differences between social security specialist and child life specialist duties and responsibilities

Social security specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partners including public and private agencies to achieve permanency for children.
  • Familiarize myself with Medicare and Medicaid processes.
  • Research state and federal regulations and statutes pertaining to Medicaid.
  • Obtain medical information, determine proper length of paid disability and FMLA eligibility and ensure timely and accurate payments to associates.
  • Ensure programs operate under HUD guidelines meeting budgetary approvals.

Child life specialist example responsibilities.

  • Observe activities and respond accordingly including emergency situations such as evacuation, CPR, or first aid.
  • Experience working with kids diagnose with bipolar, schizophrenia, autism, ADHD, depression among other disorders.
  • Provide valuable technical assistance to early childhood educators seeking resources on developing quality childcare environment.
  • Detail knowledge of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
  • Compile monthly statistical data on ADL caseload progress.
  • Exhibit patience, care, and compassion towards others.
  • Show more

Social security specialist vs child life specialist skills

Common social security specialist skills
  • Social Work, 37%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Foster Care, 6%
  • Discharge Planning, 5%
  • Social Security Administration, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 5%
Common child life specialist skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • Child Development, 9%
  • Patient Care, 9%
  • Child Life Services, 5%
  • Social Work, 5%
  • CCLS, 4%

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