Post job

Explore jobs

Find specific jobs

Explore careers

Explore professions

Best companies

Explore companies

OverviewJobsSalaryResumeSkillsWhat They DoEducationCertificationsDemographicsJob DescriptionHow To HireBest CompaniesBest StatesBest CitiesRemote JobsJob Outlook

Compare

FAQsPart Time jobsEntry Level jobsFull Time jobsWork From Home jobsLocations

Behavior technician vs clinical therapist

The differences between behavior technicians and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical therapist has an average salary of $57,864, which is higher than the $38,026 average annual salary of a behavior technician.

The top three skills for a behavior technician include autism, applied behavior analysis and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a clinical therapist are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Behavior technician vs clinical therapist overview

Behavior TechnicianClinical Therapist
Yearly salary$38,026$57,864
Hourly rate$18.28$27.82
Growth rate9%17%
Number of jobs47,541136,898
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age3441
Years of experience--

What does a behavior technician do?

The job of a behavioral technician is to offer mental health services to patients who struggle with behavior-related problems. Behavior technicians uphold the highest standard of quality of care. They are the ones who enforce learning programs like self-help, communication, and play skills. It is their duty to incorporate medical care training for parents, so caregivers or family members can support and teach skills during family activities. One must be good in written and verbal communication, can work with team members, and develop good interpersonal relationship skills to be a good technician.

What does a clinical therapist do?

A Clinical Therapist works with patients to help identify, examine, and treat mental health and emotional issues or disorders. They counsel individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, as well as observe clients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior.

Behavior technician vs clinical therapist salary

Behavior technicians and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavior TechnicianClinical Therapist
Average salary$38,026$57,864
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $49,000Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CityUrban Honolulu, HILos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateHawaiiCalifornia
Best paying companyErnst & YoungCVS Health
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between behavior technician and clinical therapist education

There are a few differences between a behavior technician and a clinical therapist in terms of educational background:

Behavior TechnicianClinical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 68%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Behavior technician vs clinical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between behavior technicians' and clinical therapists' demographics:

Behavior TechnicianClinical Therapist
Average age3441
Gender ratioMale, 26.5% Female, 73.5%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Black or African American, 4.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage15%12%

Differences between behavior technician and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Behavior technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage and target behaviors using the ESDM, ABA, PRT and SCERTS model.
  • Teach family members and teachers different ways to achieve cooperation with child and transfer skills to ensure an efficient learning environment.
  • Have RBT credential from the BACB.
  • Work with kids with autism * run programs apply individually for each child
  • Provide ABA services to adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
  • Facilitate intensive in-home ABA services to children with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
    • Show more

Clinical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
  • Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
  • Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
  • Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Behavior technician vs clinical therapist skills

Common behavior technician skills
  • Autism, 25%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 19%
  • Behavior Analysis, 8%
  • BCBA, 5%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 4%
  • Social Work, 4%
Common clinical therapist skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Mental Health, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Community Resources, 3%

Behavior Technician vs. similar jobs

Behavior Technician related careers

Behavior Technician related jobs

Behavior Technician jobs by location

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs