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Addiction therapist vs behavior analyst

The differences between addiction therapists and behavior analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both an addiction therapist and a behavior analyst. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $53,271 average annual salary of an addiction therapist.

The top three skills for an addiction therapist include patients, social work and chemical dependency. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.

Addiction therapist vs behavior analyst overview

Addiction TherapistBehavior Analyst
Yearly salary$53,271$73,616
Hourly rate$25.61$35.39
Growth rate9%14%
Number of jobs94,94267,013
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Average age3939
Years of experience66

Addiction therapist vs behavior analyst salary

Addiction therapists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.

Addiction TherapistBehavior Analyst
Average salary$53,271$73,616
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $71,000Between $51,000 And $105,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Empower U
Best paying industry-Government

Differences between addiction therapist and behavior analyst education

There are a few differences between an addiction therapist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:

Addiction TherapistBehavior Analyst
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 47%Bachelor's Degree, 54%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Addiction therapist vs behavior analyst demographics

Here are the differences between addiction therapists' and behavior analysts' demographics:

Addiction TherapistBehavior Analyst
Average age3939
Gender ratioMale, 35.4% Female, 64.6%Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage12%12%

Differences between addiction therapist and behavior analyst duties and responsibilities

Addiction therapist example responsibilities.

  • Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
  • Conduct psycho-educational support groups on addictive behaviors, patterns and relapse prevention and perform psycho-social assessments on patients.
  • Provide individual and group therapy to chemically dependent and mental health patients in a residential setting.
  • Perform initial evaluations and intakes, make eligibility determinations, conduct rehabilitation planning and problem solving, and counseling.
  • Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Behavior analyst example responsibilities.

  • Manage and target behaviors using the ESDM, ABA, PRT and SCERTS model.
  • Conduct apply behavior analysis with children diagnose with autism spectrum disorders; collect and analyze data relate to behavioral trials.
  • Obtain RBT, CPR, CPI certification.
  • Go to different cases with kids that have autism and work to alter behavior.
  • Coordinate the changes with fire protection and hazardous materials supervisors at various DoD installations.
  • Focus primarily on functional communication and language, appropriate play skills, social skills, self-help skills, and parent training.
  • Show more

Addiction therapist vs behavior analyst skills

Common addiction therapist skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Social Work, 15%
  • Chemical Dependency, 9%
  • Continuous Improvement, 8%
  • Client Care, 6%
  • Crisis Intervention, 4%
Common behavior analyst skills
  • Autism, 19%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 16%
  • BCBA, 12%
  • ABA, 11%
  • Behavior Analysis, 10%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 3%

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