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The differences between behavioral assistants and behavioral technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral assistant has an average salary of $39,681, which is higher than the $33,282 average annual salary of a behavioral technician.
The top three skills for a behavioral assistant include behavioral interventions, mental health and patients. The most important skills for a behavioral technician are autism, applied behavior analysis, and behavior analysis.
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $39,681 | $33,282 |
| Hourly rate | $19.08 | $16.00 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 80,685 | 45,287 |
| Job satisfaction | 3 | 5 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 43 | 34 |
| Years of experience | 12 | - |
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.
A behavioral technician is responsible for supporting patients to overcome their behavior problems and difficulties. Behavioral technicians evaluate the patient's condition through counseling and administer behavioral treatment plans according to the patients' needs. They also coordinate with other physicians and mental health professionals for medications and more serious medical support as needed. A behavioral technician assists the patients in their daily activities, observe their social and personal behaviors, write progress reports, and develop engaging activities that would help them bring back a healthy lifestyle and growth.
Behavioral assistants and behavioral technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Technician | |
| Average salary | $39,681 | $33,282 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $53,000 | Between $24,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Santa Maria, CA | Somerville, MA |
| Highest paying state | Washington | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Physician Affiliate Group of New York | Missouri State University |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Education |
There are a few differences between a behavioral assistant and a behavioral technician in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between behavioral assistants' and behavioral technicians' demographics:
| Behavioral Assistant | Behavioral Technician | |
| Average age | 43 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% | Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3% |
| 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, 14.3% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.1% Asian, 6.4% White, 51.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 15% |