Post job

Vocational trainer vs program instructor

The differences between vocational trainers 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 trainer and a program instructor. Additionally, a program instructor has an average salary of $42,380, which is higher than the $35,473 average annual salary of a vocational trainer.

The top three skills for a vocational trainer include developmental disabilities, CPR and training materials. The most important skills for a program instructor are patients, K-12, and math.

Vocational trainer vs program instructor overview

Vocational TrainerProgram Instructor
Yearly salary$35,473$42,380
Hourly rate$17.05$20.38
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs21,91992,369
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age4646
Years of experience44

Vocational trainer vs program instructor salary

Vocational trainers and program instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Vocational TrainerProgram Instructor
Average salary$35,473$42,380
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $40,000Between $29,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Urban Honolulu, HI
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between vocational trainer and program instructor education

There are a few differences between a vocational trainer and a program instructor in terms of educational background:

Vocational TrainerProgram Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 44%Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of Pennsylvania

Vocational trainer vs program instructor demographics

Here are the differences between vocational trainers' and program instructors' demographics:

Vocational TrainerProgram Instructor
Average age4646
Gender ratioMale, 30.5% Female, 69.5%Male, 39.7% Female, 60.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% Asian, 11.3% White, 66.4% 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 Percentage16%16%

Differences between vocational trainer and program instructor duties and responsibilities

Vocational trainer example responsibilities.

  • Coordinate and implements rehabilitation services, case documentation, employment services, and administration and interpretation of vocational and psychological testing.
  • Complete client intakes and develop client individual service plans (ISP).
  • Assist with conducting treatment team meetings with company psychiatrist to develop or update ISP's for the adult clients.
  • Coordinate IEP team planning, curriculum development, implementation and assessment for students with special educational disabilities.
  • Facilitate vocational/avocational groups and coordinate volunteer program for rehabilitation unit.
  • Facilitate vocational/avocational groups and coordinate volunteer program for rehabilitation unit.

Program instructor example responsibilities.

  • Facilitate, manage and implement each classroom student's IEP
  • Lead DCMA personnel consolidation plan to increase synergies and communication amongst the teams.
  • Manage groups of kids on a daily basis in the field to ensure safety while participating in activities.
  • Assist in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation where applicable.
  • Perform general maintenance work including HVAC, electrical, refrigeration and plumbing.
  • Assist high school students with math, computers science and computer programming (Java).
  • Show more

Vocational trainer vs program instructor skills

Common vocational trainer skills
  • Developmental Disabilities, 19%
  • CPR, 11%
  • Training Materials, 11%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 10%
  • Direct Supervision, 10%
  • Jigs, 6%
Common program instructor skills
  • Patients, 25%
  • K-12, 15%
  • Math, 11%
  • Mathematics, 9%
  • Excellent Interpersonal, 8%
  • CPR, 4%

Browse education, training, and library jobs