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The differences between software trainers and application specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 1-2 years to become both a software trainer and an application specialist. Additionally, an application specialist has an average salary of $84,635, which is higher than the $68,647 average annual salary of a software trainer.
The top three skills for a software trainer include software training, training materials and training classes. The most important skills for an application specialist are customer service, customer satisfaction, and technical support.
| Software Trainer | Application Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,647 | $84,635 |
| Hourly rate | $33.00 | $40.69 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 37,100 | 96,980 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 2 |
Software Trainers are training specialists who teach computer programs and applications like desktop publishing programs, computer network systems software, and spreadsheets. They effectively explain the technical complexities of computer software. They plan, prepare, and research lessons for the trainees. They also check and assess the work of the students and give them feedback.
An application specialist is responsible for maintaining the optimal performance of system applications, ensuring smooth navigation by upgrading the features of existing applications, and performing multiple diagnostic tests before releasing the applications to the digital marketplace. Application specialists work closely with the design engineers to improve system codes, verify the efficiency of network infrastructure, and adjusting application functions based on the clients' specifications and business' needs. They should always consider the budget goals, target end-users, and current market trends to design applications, meeting users' demands and public interests.
Software trainers and application specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Trainer | Application Specialist | |
| Average salary | $68,647 | $84,635 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $81,000 | Between $60,000 And $118,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Jersey City, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Henry Schein | Cheniere Energy |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Manufacturing |
There are a few differences between a software trainer and an application specialist in terms of educational background:
| Software Trainer | Application Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software trainers' and application specialists' demographics:
| Software Trainer | Application Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 53.7% Female, 46.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.5% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 15.8% Asian, 10.8% White, 55.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.7% Asian, 11.1% White, 55.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |