Behavior analyst vs social worker

The differences between behavior analysts and social workers 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 social worker takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $50,102 average annual salary of a social worker.

The top three skills for a behavior analyst include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for a social worker are social work, patients, and patient care.

Behavior analyst vs social worker overview

	Behavior Analyst	Social Worker
Yearly salary	$73,616	$50,102
Hourly rate	$35.39	$24.09
Growth rate	14%	9%
Number of jobs	67,013	77,340
Job satisfaction	-	4.5
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age	39	45
Years of experience	6	2

What does a behavior analyst do?

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.

What does a social worker do?

Social workers help their clients get through problems that they may be facing. Social workers help identify individuals or groups of people, usually families, who may need assistance, generally through a set of pre-determined criteria. They then determine the best ways to help their clients by interviewing them, getting to know them, and understanding the context of their lives. They create plans that will help their clients become better, such as integrating into a new environment, assisting them in their needs, or even rescuing them from their current place. Social workers have good interpersonal skills and communication skills.

Behavior analyst vs social worker salary

Behavior analysts and social workers have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Behavior Analyst	Social Worker
Average salary	$73,616	$50,102
Salary range	Between $51,000 And $105,000	Between $37,000 And $67,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	Portland, OR
Highest paying state	Alaska	Oregon
Best paying company	Empower U	Health Advocates
Best paying industry	Government	Government

Differences between behavior analyst and social worker education

There are a few differences between a behavior analyst and a social worker in terms of educational background:

	Behavior Analyst	Social Worker
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 54%	Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common major	Psychology	Social Work
Most common college	Northwestern University	University of Pennsylvania

Behavior analyst vs social worker demographics

Here are the differences between behavior analysts' and social workers' demographics:

	Behavior Analyst	Social Worker
Average age	39	45
Gender ratio	Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1%	Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5%
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, 19.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 12.3% Asian, 3.3% White, 58.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	12%	13%

Differences between behavior analyst and social worker duties and responsibilities

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.

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Social worker example responsibilities.

Assist clients in achieving treatment goals such as anger, ADHD, grief, social skills, and manners.
Lead and co-le CBT and DBT skills-base groups with participants, as well as relapse prevention, mindfulness and process groups.
Support patient questions and issues regarding Medicare ESRD entitlement and Medicaid and assist in the completion of the appropriate documentation.
Coordinate IPU discharge planning patients to SNF, ALF, PCH or in-home care with necessary support for care.
Facilitate relationships with AKF and other patient assistance programs, VA, Medicare, Medicaid and other insurance providers.
Complete Medicaid and Medicare applications as needed.

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Behavior analyst vs social worker skills

Common behavior analyst skills

Autism, 19%
Applied Behavior Analysis, 16%
BCBA, 12%
ABA, 11%
Behavior Analysis, 10%
Developmental Disabilities, 3%

Common social worker skills

Social Work, 30%
Patients, 15%
Patient Care, 5%
MSW, 4%
Discharge Planning, 4%
Home Health, 4%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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