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The differences between behavior therapists and behavior analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a behavior therapist, becoming a behavior analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $36,864 average annual salary of a behavior therapist.
The top three skills for a behavior therapist include autism, applied behavior analysis and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.
| Behavior Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $36,864 | $73,616 |
| Hourly rate | $17.72 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 90,578 | 67,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
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.
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.
Behavior therapists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavior Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average salary | $36,864 | $73,616 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $49,000 | Between $51,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alabama | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Regis College | Empower U |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between a behavior therapist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:
| Behavior Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between behavior therapists' and behavior analysts' demographics:
| Behavior Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 19.5% Female, 80.5% | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 12% |