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The differences between behavioral analysts and behavioral specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a behavioral analyst and a behavioral specialist. Additionally, a behavioral analyst has an average salary of $69,468, which is higher than the $42,029 average annual salary of a behavioral specialist.
The top three skills for a behavioral analyst include autism, BCBA and applied behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavioral specialist are mental health, autism, and applied behavior analysis.
| Behavioral Analyst | Behavioral Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $69,468 | $42,029 |
| Hourly rate | $33.40 | $20.21 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 66,538 | 74,968 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
Behavioral Analyst supports and implements a plan to help patients overcome social and mental disabilities. They are involved in assessing patients' behavior in school, homes, or communities, implementing behavioral plans, updating therapy notes to track progress, and communicating with staff, families, and teachers in relaying the client's needs. A behavioral analyst must have good knowledge in applied behavior analysis, proficient report writing, and have comprehension in creating individualized education programs to help improve client behavior.
A behavioral specialist is a psychological expert providing guidance and counseling to people who have behavioral issues affecting their abilities to learn and socialize with other people. Behavioral specialists assess the level of patients' behavior and make treatment plans to help them cope. They monitor the patient's progress and keep treatment reports, improving or adjusting treatment plans as needed. They also communicate with the patients' family and friends for treatment support, as well as coordinate with other health professionals for additional assistance.
Behavioral analysts and behavioral specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Analyst | Behavioral Specialist | |
| Average salary | $69,468 | $42,029 |
| Salary range | Between $42,000 And $112,000 | Between $28,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Portland, OR | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Therapy Source | Barbarian |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Professional |
There are a few differences between a behavioral analyst and a behavioral specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Analyst | Behavioral Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 65% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavioral analysts' and behavioral specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Analyst | Behavioral Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 38.4% Female, 61.6% | 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, 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 | 12% | 12% |