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Vocational specialist vs developmental specialist

The differences between vocational specialists and developmental specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a developmental specialist has an average salary of $42,829, which is higher than the $37,486 average annual salary of a vocational specialist.

The top three skills for a vocational specialist include rehabilitation, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a developmental specialist are social work, developmental disabilities, and autism.

Vocational specialist vs developmental specialist overview

Vocational SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Yearly salary$37,486$42,829
Hourly rate$18.02$20.59
Growth rate10%12%
Number of jobs33,6437,776
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4243
Years of experience-12

What does a vocational specialist do?

Vocational Specialists are responsible for assisting individuals in finding out their career choices. They interview clients to assess their skills, job history, and personality. Their duties include matching a client's education, training, interests, and experiences to an available job position. They organize aptitude tests to assist the client make career options. They also help with résumé preparation or modification, maintaining client records, arranging reports, and correspondence. Vocal Specialists give support for individuals in times of layoffs or job losses.

What does a developmental specialist do?

A developmental specialist typically works in the human resources department. Your job involves training employees and encouraging their peers to participate. Other duties include evaluating the company's HR and training programs, identifying the best type of training to ensure employee and company success, and designing and developing employee discussions, simulations, and exercises. In addition, you are expected to network with prospective donors and look for new funding sources. You are also expected to promote the organization's cause or work through advertisements, soirees, and literature.

Vocational specialist vs developmental specialist salary

Vocational specialists and developmental specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vocational SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average salary$37,486$42,829
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $46,000Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying CityPittsburg, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaAlaska
Best paying companyNew York State Restaurant AssociationUMass Memorial Health
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between vocational specialist and developmental specialist education

There are a few differences between a vocational specialist and a developmental specialist in terms of educational background:

Vocational SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Vocational specialist vs developmental specialist demographics

Here are the differences between vocational specialists' and developmental specialists' demographics:

Vocational SpecialistDevelopmental Specialist
Average age4243
Gender ratioMale, 31.7% Female, 68.3%Male, 19.1% Female, 80.9%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 7.0% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between vocational specialist and developmental specialist duties and responsibilities

Vocational specialist example responsibilities.

  • Conduct therapeutic and vocational rehabilitation groups for individuals who are diagnosed with a severe mental illness.
  • Facilitate vocational rehabilitation groups weekly.
  • Conduct initial interviews with individuals to determine if the situation warrant further investigation by EEO Specialists/investigators.
  • Document all activities including rationale for decisions in accordance with DARS policies and procedures.
  • Assist clients preparing to transition with housing applications and or locating low income and or affordable housing.
  • Facilitate vocational rehabilitation groups weekly.

Developmental specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide PSR services to clients with mental illness in order to help them achieve the highest standard of living possible.
  • Team leader in charge of receiving referrals make for children on the autism spectrum, communication delays and/or behavioral challenges.
  • Participate in weekly individual therapy sessions with young children and adolescents with an autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Participate in transition classes for children transferring from EI services to daycare and Headstart settings.4.
  • Monitor the completion of ASQ's.
  • Show more

Vocational specialist vs developmental specialist skills

Common vocational specialist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 14%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Vocational Rehabilitation, 5%
Common developmental specialist skills
  • Social Work, 13%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 12%
  • Autism, 8%
  • Intellectual Disabilities, 7%
  • Developmental Delays, 6%
  • Support Services, 6%

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