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.
Behavioral analyst responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real behavioral analyst resumes:
- 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.
Behavioral analyst skills and personality traits
We calculated that 24% of Behavioral Analysts are proficient in Autism, BCBA, and Applied Behavior Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Organizational skills, and Problem-solving skills.
We break down the percentage of Behavioral Analysts that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Autism, 24%
Implement 1:1 individualized behavior programming with learners with Autism, developmentally delayed or behaviorally challenged.
- BCBA, 16%
Incorporate Feedback as Instructed by The BCBA.
- Applied Behavior Analysis, 14%
Utilized applied behavior analysis techniques to instruct and support autistic children.
- Developmental Disabilities, 7%
Work with children with developmental disabilities academically excel appropriately and realistically.
- Behavioral Therapy, 6%
Performed complex behavioral therapy routines and collected success metrics resulting in high academic and social achievement of autistic clients.
- ABA, 6%
Employed principles of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) to provide individual and group therapy for children ages 5-14.
Most behavioral analysts use their skills in "autism," "bcba," and "applied behavior analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential behavioral analyst responsibilities here:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a behavioral analyst to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what behavioral analysts do because "social and human service assistants talk with clients about the challenges in their lives and assist them in getting help." Additionally, a behavioral analyst resume shows how behavioral analysts use communication skills: "focus is on development of cognitive, language and behavioral skills with emphasis on functional communication. "
Organizational skills. Many behavioral analyst duties rely on organizational skills. "social and human service assistants must often complete lots of paperwork and work with many different clients," so a behavioral analyst will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways behavioral analyst responsibilities rely on organizational skills: "work with emotionally and behaviorally challenging children, assist with social skills, organizational skills, anger management and other emotional issues"
Problem-solving skills. behavioral analysts are also known for problem-solving skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to behavioral analyst responsibilities, because "social and human service assistants help clients find solutions to their problems." A behavioral analyst resume example shows how problem-solving skills is used in the workplace: "collaborated with parents and behavior intervention teams on solutions to deal with behavior issues found daily in a learning environment. "
Compassion. For certain behavioral analyst responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "compassion." The day-to-day duties of a behavioral analyst rely on this skill, as "social and human service assistants often work with people who are in stressful and difficult situations." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what behavioral analysts do: "provided support, compassion and assistance to persons with a dual diagnosis of a developmental disability and a co-existing psychiatric disorder. "
Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for a behavioral analyst to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what behavioral analysts relies on this skill, since "social and human service assistants must make their clients feel comfortable discussing sensitive issues." How this skill relates to behavioral analyst duties can be seen in an example from a behavioral analyst resume snippet: "ensured a safe, inclusive and productive environment for residents and staff by implementing conflict resolutions and interpersonal communication skills. "
The three companies that hire the most behavioral analysts are:
- Soliant45 behavioral analysts jobs
- Work Skills
29 behavioral analysts jobs
- Pediatric Partners, now a member of the Sevita family24 behavioral analysts jobs
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Compare different behavioral analysts
Behavioral analyst vs. Substance abuse counselor
Substance abuse counselors act as a support system for people with drug and alcohol problems and other behavioral issues. They help the patients control their behavior until they achieve a full recovery. The mental health counselors aid patients to overcome their chemical dependencies and become self-sufficient individuals. Part of their duty includes meeting clients to evaluate their health and substance issues while creating goals and treatment plans. They teach clients coping mechanisms, refer them to support groups, and engage them in group therapy sessions. Once the patient is stable, they help them re-establish their careers and give updates and reports of progress to the courts. Requirements for the job include a master's degree in counseling and social work.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, behavioral analyst responsibilities require skills like "autism," "bcba," "applied behavior analysis," and "developmental disabilities." Meanwhile a typical substance abuse counselor has skills in areas such as "patients," "substance abuse treatment," "social work," and "intake assessments." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Substance abuse counselors really shine in the non profits industry with an average salary of $41,273. Comparatively, behavioral analysts tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $65,732.substance abuse counselors tend to reach higher levels of education than behavioral analysts. In fact, substance abuse counselors are 8.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Behavioral analyst vs. Program counselor
A Program Counselor is an essential part of a school's faculty. It's the counselor's responsibility to ensure that students are benefiting from the school's educational curriculum. This person is also tasked to help students resolve issues and problems that may hinder any educational progress. They are also part of the disciplinary team intended to instill good morals, ethics, and decency in students. The Program Counselor is one of the teacher or professor who has expertise or has a high educational degree in a particular subject or field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that behavioral analyst responsibilities requires skills like "autism," "bcba," "applied behavior analysis," and "behavioral therapy." But a program counselor might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "patients," "community integration," "social work," and "medication administration."
Program counselors earn a lower average salary than behavioral analysts. But program counselors earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $41,845. Additionally, behavioral analysts earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $65,732 annually.program counselors earn similar levels of education than behavioral analysts in general. They're 1.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.2% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for behavioral analysts in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Bill Buker
Associate Dean and Professor of Professional Counseling, Oral Roberts University
Behavioral analyst vs. Family counselor
A Family Counselor treats married couples or family members in order to help them overcome mental or emotional problems. They provide effective treatment measures to help the family members resolve their issues.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a behavioral analyst is likely to be skilled in "autism," "bcba," "developmental disabilities," and "behavioral therapy," while a typical family counselor is skilled in "social work," "community resources," "poc," and "family support."
Family counselors earn the best pay in the professional industry, where they command an average salary of $40,967. Behavioral analysts earn the highest pay from the health care industry, with an average salary of $65,732.Most family counselors achieve a higher degree level compared to behavioral analysts. For example, they're 16.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Behavioral analyst vs. Crisis counselor
A crisis counselor is responsible for providing assistance and emotional support to clients under crises or mental health emergencies caused by stress, trauma, grief, and other factors. Most crisis counselors work at clinics or counseling centers, and there are instances where they can be at schools and organizations. Aside from diagnosing and providing specific treatments, a crisis counselor must also build rapport with clients, helping them feel comfortable every step of the way, and serving as a positive influence in their journey to recovery.
Types of behavioral analyst
Updated January 8, 2025
