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Student support specialist vs living specialist

The differences between student support specialists and living 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 student support specialist and a living specialist. Additionally, a student support specialist has an average salary of $43,449, which is higher than the $36,759 average annual salary of a living specialist.

The top three skills for a student support specialist include student support, social work and support services. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.

Student support specialist vs living specialist overview

Student Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Yearly salary$43,449$36,759
Hourly rate$20.89$17.67
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs104,26449,916
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a student support specialist do?

A student support specialist provides ample counsel and advice for students in an educational institution. Student support's responsibility is to help students adjust, adapt, and advance through their learning life in school or university and provide care and support for them to grow. The student support specialist also connects students to relevant benefits, government educational benefits, and other help and benefits provided by the educational institution and its faculty. The student support specialist aims to help students in their studies and see them achieve their goals.

What does a living specialist do?

A living specialist is a person who is responsible for assisting and guiding individuals that have difficulties caring for themselves. They are the person who helps them in doing household chores and guiding them throughout the cleaning process. This career is an important position in society because it provides care for those who are in need.

Student support specialist vs living specialist salary

Student support specialists and living specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Student Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average salary$43,449$36,759
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $65,000Between $28,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CANew York, NY
Highest paying stateNew YorkNew York
Best paying companyBoston Public SchoolsTerros Health
Best paying industryMediaNon Profits

Differences between student support specialist and living specialist education

There are a few differences between a student support specialist and a living specialist in terms of educational background:

Student Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorBusinessPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversitySUNY at Binghamton

Student support specialist vs living specialist demographics

Here are the differences between student support specialists' and living specialists' demographics:

Student Support SpecialistLiving Specialist
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 37.5% Female, 62.5%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 12.3% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 7.0% White, 54.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between student support specialist and living specialist duties and responsibilities

Student support specialist example responsibilities.

  • Manage SharePoint inventory repository and assign access levels to new hires as needed.
  • Train staff with methods to meet IEP goals, mandate reporting and effective communication in the classroom.
  • Monitor student behavior -assist with student IEP and report student activity
  • Provide individual academic assistance to students having difficulty with college-level mathematics
  • Provide various services as a liaison between students and administration obtain certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation
  • Provide individual academic assistance to students having difficulty with college-level mathematics

Living specialist example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Conduct comprehensive care assessments to determine client eligibility for Medicaid fund home health assistance.
  • Provide education and vocational counseling for the individual and/or their family members and significant others to ensure healthy lifestyles and rehabilitation.
  • Collaborate with community health councils and other community agencies to provide programs that enhance community awareness of health and safety.

Student support specialist vs living specialist skills

Common student support specialist skills
  • Student Support, 29%
  • Social Work, 14%
  • Support Services, 7%
  • Professional Development, 6%
  • Behavioral Issues, 5%
  • Technical Support, 3%
Common living specialist skills
  • Independent Living, 13%
  • Community Resources, 9%
  • Autism, 8%
  • CPR, 8%
  • Mental Health, 7%
  • Foster Care, 7%

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