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The differences between behavior interventionists and behavior therapists 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 interventionist, becoming a behavior therapist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavior interventionist has an average salary of $38,908, which is higher than the $36,864 average annual salary of a behavior therapist.
The top three skills for a behavior interventionist include applied behavior analysis, autism and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavior therapist are autism, applied behavior analysis, and behavior analysis.
| Behavior Interventionist | Behavior Therapist | |
| Yearly salary | $38,908 | $36,864 |
| Hourly rate | $18.71 | $17.72 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 70,115 | 90,578 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A behavior interventionist, or sometimes called behavior intervention specialist (BIS), is an individual who provides support and training for students with behavioral challenges through behavior management techniques and coping skills. Behavior interventionists must assist in implementing Behavioral Intervention Plans (BIP) or Individual Education Programs (IEP) to students who have difficulties in learning and advancing with their class. They are required to travel between different schools to attend case review meetings and meet with teachers who need assistance for managing problems in their classrooms. Behavior interventionists also consult with both medical and psychological professionals to develop and implement BIPs.
A behavior therapist is an individual psychologist who is responsible for helping patients with mental disorders such as depression and schizophrenia. Behavior therapists must equip patients with psychological tools to help them diminish unhealthy thoughts so that they can effectively deal with the challenges of their daily lives. They are required to devise problem-solving methods such as psychotherapy and counseling to help patients improve their quality of life. Behavior therapists must also collaborate with the families of their patients to help them overcome behavioral issues more effectively.
Behavior interventionists and behavior therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavior Interventionist | Behavior Therapist | |
| Average salary | $38,908 | $36,864 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $51,000 | Between $27,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Chicago, IL |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alabama |
| Best paying company | Crescent City Schools | Regis College |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a behavior interventionist and a behavior therapist in terms of educational background:
| Behavior Interventionist | Behavior Therapist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 71% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavior interventionists' and behavior therapists' demographics:
| Behavior Interventionist | Behavior Therapist | |
| Average age | 39 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 27.5% Female, 72.5% | 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, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 6% |