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The differences between aba therapists and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aba therapist and a mental health associate. Additionally, a mental health associate has an average salary of $36,510, which is higher than the $35,938 average annual salary of an aba therapist.
The top three skills for an aba therapist include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| ABA Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $35,938 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $17.28 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 90,516 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
An ABA therapist is responsible for administering treatment plans to patients with behavioral disabilities and intellectual disorders, supporting them through systematic processes, and recording their developmental progress throughout therapy sessions. ABA therapists develop engaging activities for the children, observing their personal and social behaviors, and adjust approach as needed. They also coordinate with other behavior therapists and other medical health professionals for refined strategies that adhere to the child's progress. An ABA therapist must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist patients with different behavioral problems and attend to their needs efficiently.
As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.
Aba therapists and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| ABA Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $35,938 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | New York |
| Best paying company | Cook Children's Medical Center | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Education | Professional |
There are a few differences between an aba therapist and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| ABA Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between aba therapists' and mental health associates' demographics:
| ABA Therapist | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 41 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 15% |