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The differences between vocational instructors and program instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a vocational instructor and a program instructor. Additionally, a program instructor has an average salary of $42,380, which is higher than the $41,610 average annual salary of a vocational instructor.
The top three skills for a vocational instructor include plumbing, course objectives and developmental disabilities. The most important skills for a program instructor are patients, K-12, and math.
| Vocational Instructor | Program Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $41,610 | $42,380 |
| Hourly rate | $20.00 | $20.38 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 37,084 | 92,369 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Depending on their field of specialization, a vocational instructor is usually found working in secondary schools, technical schools, or other training institutions. Their major duty is to teach students a specific trade or occupation. Their responsibility is to teach a particular subject that can immediately be applied to a specific field or job. They are also expected to provide guidance to students and assist them with placement, aside from teaching them in the classroom.
A program instructor is responsible for facilitating indoor and outdoor programs with various goals and objectives catering to different participants. Program instructors must have excellent communication skills, especially on gaining the participants' attention and engaging them to join the activities prepared for the day. They also maintain a safe and creative learning environment for everyone, observing each participant's behavior and interests, developing group cooperation, and fostering personal development. A program instructor reiterates safety procedures and regulations during the program for everyone's strict compliance and immediately addresses conflicts soon as they arise.
Vocational instructors and program instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Instructor | Program Instructor | |
| Average salary | $41,610 | $42,380 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $55,000 | Between $29,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Springfield, MA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | California | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Los Alamos National Laboratory |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Education |
There are a few differences between a vocational instructor and a program instructor in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Instructor | Program Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 49% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Business | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between vocational instructors' and program instructors' demographics:
| Vocational Instructor | Program Instructor | |
| Average age | 46 | 46 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 49.4% Female, 50.6% | Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.3% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% | Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.4% Asian, 11.2% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% |
| LGBT Percentage | 16% | 16% |