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The differences between software trainers and support 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 a support specialist. Additionally, a software trainer has an average salary of $68,647, which is higher than the $40,782 average annual salary of a support specialist.
The top three skills for a software trainer include software training, training materials and training classes. The most important skills for a support specialist are customer service, patients, and mental health.
| Software Trainer | Support Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $68,647 | $40,782 |
| Hourly rate | $33.00 | $19.61 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 10% |
| Number of jobs | 37,100 | 125,740 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| 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.
A support specialist is responsible for assisting technical and administrative support, depending on the business need. Support specialists must have extensive knowledge of the services of the organization they work for to assist customers with their inquiries and resolve complaints efficiently. A support specialist maintains documents of issue resolution, providing recommendations to improve business strategies and procedures. Support specialists must be well-versed on technology systems, perform basic troubleshooting, and secure databases. They should also have impeccable customer service and communication skills to attend with customers' needs and requests.
Software trainers and support specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Software Trainer | Support Specialist | |
| Average salary | $68,647 | $40,782 |
| Salary range | Between $57,000 And $81,000 | Between $25,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Oregon | New York |
| Best paying company | Henry Schein | Microsoft |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Technology |
There are a few differences between a software trainer and a support specialist in terms of educational background:
| Software Trainer | Support Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 68% | Bachelor's Degree, 52% |
| Most common major | Business | Business |
| Most common college | Stanford University | Stanford University |
Here are the differences between software trainers' and support specialists' demographics:
| Software Trainer | Support Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 44.3% Female, 55.7% | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% |
| 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, 11.5% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.9% Asian, 10.4% White, 56.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |