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Behavioral analyst vs counselor

The differences between behavioral analysts and counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral analyst has an average salary of $69,468, which is higher than the $36,225 average annual salary of a counselor.

The top three skills for a behavioral analyst include autism, BCBA and applied behavior analysis. The most important skills for a counselor are patients, crisis intervention, and substance abuse.

Behavioral analyst vs counselor overview

Behavioral AnalystCounselor
Yearly salary$69,468$36,225
Hourly rate$33.40$17.42
Growth rate12%10%
Number of jobs66,53877,536
Job satisfaction-2
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Average age3944
Years of experience6-

What does a behavioral analyst do?

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.

What does a counselor do?

Often, counselors are known to be the go-to person in times we are in need of emotional and psychological support. They help people to manage and overcome the issues which affect their mental health and well-being. Counselors face different kind of situations which may involve trauma, addiction, disabilities, abuse, suicide, anger management, career, and even personal relationships. They provide care, counseling, rehabilitation, and support services. Every counseling requires collaborative effort both from the counselor and client to become effective.

Behavioral analyst vs counselor salary

Behavioral analysts and counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavioral AnalystCounselor
Average salary$69,468$36,225
Salary rangeBetween $42,000 And $112,000Between $19,000 And $67,000
Highest paying CityPortland, OR-
Highest paying stateAlaskaCalifornia
Best paying companyTherapy Source-
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between behavioral analyst and counselor education

There are a few differences between a behavioral analyst and a counselor in terms of educational background:

Behavioral AnalystCounselor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeNorthwestern UniversityUniversity of Pennsylvania

Behavioral analyst vs counselor demographics

Here are the differences between behavioral analysts' and counselors' demographics:

Behavioral AnalystCounselor
Average age3944
Gender ratioMale, 38.4% Female, 61.6%Male, 38.5% Female, 61.5%
Race ratioBlack 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, 15.6% Unknown, 5.1% Hispanic or Latino, 11.1% Asian, 3.5% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage12%9%

Differences between behavioral analyst and counselor duties and responsibilities

Behavioral analyst example responsibilities.

  • Observe patients and strategically prepare and manage clinical analysis of individuals and their progress in conjunction with formulate behavior goals.
  • Collaborate with treatment team including client, parents and caregivers, outside professionals, ABA's, and co-workers.
  • Assist high functioning autism children develop academic and social skills need to be successful by: helping with homework and playing games
  • Prepare young children with autism to succeed in mainstream educational environments.
  • Facilitate positive consumer and personal relationships base on positive consumer and personal relationships base on courtesy, compassion, and respect.
  • Provide model activities and conduct treatment interventions establish by the IIC define in individual treatment plans.

Counselor example responsibilities.

  • Maintain a safe program through ongoing CPI training.
  • Utilize de-escalation skills (CPI) when necessary.
  • Instill confidence, improve all components of writing and reading, and study strategies.
  • Arrange ESL tutoring and perform as liaison between students, parents, and school administrators.
  • Advise students into their major field of study, and assisting them with choosing the correct curriculum.
  • Operate a full service litigation office that evolve from general litigation to criminal litigation to federal criminal trials.
  • Show more

Behavioral analyst vs counselor skills

Common behavioral analyst skills
  • Autism, 24%
  • BCBA, 16%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 14%
  • Developmental Disabilities, 7%
  • Behavioral Therapy, 6%
  • ABA, 6%
Common counselor skills
  • Patients, 13%
  • Crisis Intervention, 12%
  • Substance Abuse, 12%
  • Social Work, 10%
  • Community Resources, 4%
  • CPR, 4%

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