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The differences between behavior analysts and mental health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a behavior analyst, becoming a mental health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $47,321 average annual salary of a mental health specialist.
The top three skills for a behavior analyst include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for a mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.
| Behavior Analyst | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $73,616 | $47,321 |
| Hourly rate | $35.39 | $22.75 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 67,013 | 131,449 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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 mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.
Behavior analysts and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavior Analyst | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $73,616 | $47,321 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $105,000 | Between $31,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | California |
| Best paying company | Empower U | Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc |
| Best paying industry | Government | Government |
There are a few differences between a behavior analyst and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavior Analyst | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavior analysts' and mental health specialists' demographics:
| Behavior Analyst | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| 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, 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 | 12% | 15% |