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The differences between behavior analysts and service counselors 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 service counselor takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $35,402 average annual salary of a service counselor.
The top three skills for a behavior analyst include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for a service counselor are social work, crisis intervention, and patients.
| Behavior Analyst | Service Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $73,616 | $35,402 |
| Hourly rate | $35.39 | $17.02 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 67,013 | 44,284 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 12 |
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.
Service counselors provide guidance to couples, individuals, groups, and families who are going through issues that influence their well-being and mental health. They comprehensively approach their clients by utilizing a "wellness" model that focuses on and motivate the client's potentials. Their duties include inspiring clients to talk about their emotions and experiences, helping them determine their action plans and goals, as well as designing therapeutic methods. Also, they may refer their clients to other services or psychologists.
Behavior analysts and service counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavior Analyst | Service Counselor | |
| Average salary | $73,616 | $35,402 |
| Salary range | Between $51,000 And $105,000 | Between $24,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Urban Honolulu, HI |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Hawaii |
| Best paying company | Empower U | |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a behavior analyst and a service counselor in terms of educational background:
| Behavior Analyst | Service Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between behavior analysts' and service counselors' demographics:
| Behavior Analyst | Service Counselor | |
| Average age | 39 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 7.1% White, 54.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 11% |