Solution specialist vs retention specialist

The differences between solution specialists and retention 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 solution specialist and a retention specialist. Additionally, a solution specialist has an average salary of $76,424, which is higher than the $37,175 average annual salary of a retention specialist.

The top three skills for a solution specialist include product knowledge, sales process and SQL. The most important skills for a retention specialist are customer service, outbound calls, and powerpoint.

Solution specialist vs retention specialist overview

	Solution Specialist	Retention Specialist
Yearly salary	$76,424	$37,175
Hourly rate	$36.74	$17.87
Growth rate	-4%	-4%
Number of jobs	56,938	199,631
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	12	12

What does a solution specialist do?

A solution specialist is responsible for selling and promoting goods and services of an organization to existing and potential clients through product demonstrations and professional sales pitches, typically on phone calls and e-mail communication. Solutions specialists must possess strong product knowledge to respond to customers' inquiries and concerns about the products and successfully close sales deals that would increase the company's revenues and profitability. A solutions specialist must have excellent communication and customer service skills, maximizing strategic techniques to build customer satisfaction.

What does a retention specialist do?

A retention specialist is responsible for devising strategies to maintain a healthy relationship with clients. They are primarily in charge of negotiating and securing contract renewals, handling issues and corrective measures for customer satisfaction, utilizing feedback to improve services, and maintaining a healthy rapport to strengthen the client base. Furthermore, as a retention specialist, it is essential to perform calls and correspondence, keep records of all transactions, and coordinate with work-staff.

Solution specialist vs retention specialist salary

Solution specialists and retention specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Solution Specialist	Retention Specialist
Average salary	$76,424	$37,175
Salary range	Between $46,000 And $125,000	Between $28,000 And $48,000
Highest paying City	Seattle, WA	Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	California
Best paying company	PayPal	Adobe
Best paying industry	-	Finance

Differences between solution specialist and retention specialist education

There are a few differences between a solution specialist and a retention specialist in terms of educational background:

	Solution Specialist	Retention Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 62%	Bachelor's Degree, 40%
Most common major	Business	Business
Most common college	-	-

Solution specialist vs retention specialist demographics

Here are the differences between solution specialists' and retention specialists' demographics:

	Solution Specialist	Retention Specialist
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 58.4% Female, 41.6%	Male, 37.0% Female, 63.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.7% White, 54.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 5.3% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.0% White, 55.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	7%

Differences between solution specialist and retention specialist duties and responsibilities

Solution specialist example responsibilities.

Lead multiple team meetings covering best practices, new policy and procedures, and explaining new MBO targets.
Manage existing accounts while identifying new sources of opportunities for sales in the SME segment through cold calling and prospecting.
Manage payroll and overall candidate compliance regarding eligibility of employment and new hire paperwork.
Manage billing inquiries, encourage cross-selling and referral for additional property and casualty lines of business.
Manage Microsoft SQL consolidation project to improve the operational efficiency of database servers and reduce their licensing costs.
Research and implement new technology solutions including a CRM software, email marketing opportunities, and a company blog.

Retention specialist example responsibilities.

Save customer relationship by managing and exceeding TWC goals.
Prepare proposals and analysis for county Medicaid facilitators to educate regarding available manage care programs.
Increase revenue through up-selling and cross-selling video, HSI, wireless, and telephony services to existing customers.
Provide advance troubleshooting of wireless broadband, IP services, PC's, wireless routers.
Process payments via CSG and ICOMS.
Provide rep support, assist with account flow, escalation, reschedule, expedites, construction/survey.

Solution specialist vs retention specialist skills

Common solution specialist skills

Product Knowledge, 17%
Sales Process, 12%
SQL, 6%
Java, 6%
Azure, 6%
Windows, 5%

Common retention specialist skills

Customer Service, 26%
Outbound Calls, 11%
PowerPoint, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 5%
Customer Accounts, 4%
Billing Issues, 3%

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Solution Specialist
Solution Specialist vs Retention Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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