Q: How hard is it to become a SERE specialist?

It is extremely difficult to become a SERE specialist. SERE specialists are the Air Force's experts on recovering people who have become isolated. They know everything about surviving in difficult situations. They make sure that all high-risk-of-capture/isolation personnel return safely and with honor from any situation.

Q: Can a specialist make 100k?

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a specialist. The chances of earning over $100k for a specialist are actually pretty good because the highest-paid specialist positions typically pay at least $94,000 per year. The average annual salary is $59,021 for specialist jobs. For example, specialists in New Jersey whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $125,000.

Q: What percentage of Specialists are female?

53.2% of specialists are female in the United States. This is 1.7 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female specialists has decreased by -5.7 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 205,837 female specialists in the U.S. and 181,076 male specialists in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 386,913 people with the specific job title of specialist and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Question 1

How long does it take to become a Specialist?

Accepted Answer

It takes 4 years of professional experience to become a specialist. That is the time it takes to learn specific specialist skills, but does not account for time spent in formal education. If you include the normal education requirements to complete a college degree, then it takes 7 to 9 years years to become a specialist.

Question 2

How hard is it to become a SERE specialist?

Accepted Answer

It is extremely difficult to become a SERE specialist.

SERE specialists are the Air Force's experts on recovering people who have become isolated. They know everything about surviving in difficult situations. They make sure that all high-risk-of-capture/isolation personnel return safely and with honor from any situation.

Question 3

Associate vs Specialist

Accepted Answer

An associate is a person who is developing their skill set through professional experience, while a specialist is a professional who possesses a strong command of knowledge and skills in a particular occupation.

Question 4

Specialist vs. Analyst

Accepted Answer

A specialist is an expert in their field and is responsible for specific tasks within their specialty or department, while an analyst focuses on data and applications that typically span multiple areas or departments.

Question 5

What is a good starting salary for a Specialist?

Accepted Answer

A good starting salary for a specialist is $36,000 in the United States. That puts you in the 10th percentile of annual income for a specialist in the U.S., which is about what you would expect if you were new to the field. The average salary for specialists is $59,021, but that normally requires some level of experience to achieve. Furthermore, a good starting salary for a specialist can vary by state.

Question 6

Can a specialist make 100k?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can make $100,000 per year as a specialist. The chances of earning over $100k for a specialist are actually pretty good because the highest-paid specialist positions typically pay at least $94,000 per year. The average annual salary is $59,021 for specialist jobs. For example, specialists in New Jersey whose salaries are in the 90th percentile earn an average salary of $125,000.

Question 7

What percentage of Specialists are female?

Accepted Answer

53.2% of specialists are female in the United States. This is 1.7 percentage points higher than last year. Additionally, the percentage of female specialists has decreased by -5.7 percentage points since 2010. That means there are a total of 205,837 female specialists in the U.S. and 181,076 male specialists in the United States. Note that Zippia's estimate accounts only for the 386,913 people with the specific job title of specialist and doesn't include grouping similar job titles, or people with potentially similar credentialing.

Frequently asked questions about specialists

Questions About Becoming a Specialist