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The differences between behavior analysts and alcohol and drug counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a behavior analyst and an alcohol and drug counselor. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $45,758 average annual salary of an alcohol and drug counselor.
The top three skills for a behavior analyst include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for an alcohol and drug counselor are patients, social work, and crisis intervention.
| Behavior Analyst | Alcohol And Drug Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $73,616 | $45,758 |
| Hourly rate | $35.39 | $22.00 |
| Growth rate | 14% | - |
| Number of jobs | 67,013 | 77,461 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A behavior analyst is responsible for supporting patients and students with mental and social difficulties, developing treatment plans to address their learning and/or social disabilities. Behavior analysts monitor the students' progress by evaluating their learning and providing them with comprehensive materials and resources according to a targeted curriculum. They also adjust therapy programs as needed, coordinating with other health professionals, students' families, and teachers to provide the best techniques to support their development.
A drug & alcohol counselor treats addicts in either one-on-one or group settings. They help by educating and developing possible treatment plans for patients to support them in coping with their addictive personalities. A drug and alcohol counselor will evaluate to determine the progress has been successfully made towards recovery. They help patients better understand and overcome their addictions. Counselors help through offering support, rehabilitation, and guidance by using various techniques. Drug & alcohol counselors seek to help an addict find the source of their addiction.
Behavior analysts and alcohol and drug counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavior Analyst | Alcohol And Drug Counselor | |
| Average salary | $73,616 | $45,758 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $105,000 | Between $30,000 And $68,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Santa Rosa, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Empower U | Montage Health |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between a behavior analyst and an alcohol and drug counselor in terms of educational background:
| Behavior Analyst | Alcohol And Drug Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavior analysts' and alcohol and drug counselors' demographics:
| Behavior Analyst | Alcohol And Drug Counselor | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 12% | 12% |