Post job

Vocational specialist vs employment specialist

The differences between vocational specialists and employment specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, an employment specialist has an average salary of $39,530, 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 an employment specialist are customer service, rehabilitation, and mental health.

Vocational specialist vs employment specialist overview

Vocational SpecialistEmployment Specialist
Yearly salary$37,486$39,530
Hourly rate$18.02$19.00
Growth rate10%8%
Number of jobs33,64359,757
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age4241
Years of experience-6

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 an employment specialist do?

An employment specialist deals with job applicants to match their talents to a specific job that properly suits them. Employment specialists assist applicants or the unemployed by testing their skills, conducting mock interviews, and creating a proper resume. They can work separately within a company or be part of the human resources department to assist in the hiring process. Employment specialists are often tasked to handle company layoffs and act as the liaison officer between the employer and the Department of Labor.

Vocational specialist vs employment specialist salary

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

Vocational SpecialistEmployment Specialist
Average salary$37,486$39,530
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $46,000Between $29,000 And $52,000
Highest paying CityPittsburg, CAWashington, DC
Highest paying stateCaliforniaHawaii
Best paying companyNew York State Restaurant AssociationUniversity of California, Berkeley
Best paying industryHealth CareProfessional

Differences between vocational specialist and employment specialist education

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

Vocational SpecialistEmployment Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachUniversity of Pennsylvania

Vocational specialist vs employment specialist demographics

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

Vocational SpecialistEmployment Specialist
Average age4241
Gender ratioMale, 31.7% Female, 68.3%Male, 30.4% Female, 69.6%
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, 10.2% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 7.7% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage11%9%

Differences between vocational specialist and employment 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.

Employment specialist example responsibilities.

  • Collaborate with partner agencies to share leads, information and execute OJT agreements.
  • Assist in managing unemployment claims, wrongful termination claims, civil and EEOC suits.
  • Demonstrate knowledge of vocational rehabilitation theory and practice along with the hiring needs and job requirements of the local business community.
  • Present information about vocational rehabilitation to community.
  • Maintain records according to CARF standards.
  • Verify identity with I9 documents like driver license; passports and social security cards.
  • Show more

Vocational specialist vs employment specialist skills

Common vocational specialist skills
  • Rehabilitation, 14%
  • Social Work, 11%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Substance Abuse, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Vocational Rehabilitation, 5%
Common employment specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Rehabilitation, 9%
  • Mental Health, 8%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • Competitive Employment, 5%
  • Mental Illness, 4%

Browse community and social services jobs