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The differences between behavioral assistants and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 6-12 months to become a behavioral assistant, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $39,681 average annual salary of a behavioral assistant.
The top three skills for a behavioral assistant include behavioral interventions, mental health and patients. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $39,681 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $19.08 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 80,685 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 4 |
Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.
Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.
Behavioral assistants and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $39,681 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Maria, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Physician Affiliate Group of New York | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a behavioral assistant and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavioral assistants' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 43 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 15% |