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Behavioral assistant vs behavioral technician

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 vs behavioral technician overview

Behavioral AssistantBehavioral Technician
Yearly salary$39,681$33,282
Hourly rate$19.08$16.00
Growth rate12%9%
Number of jobs80,68545,287
Job satisfaction35
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age4334
Years of experience12-

What does a behavioral assistant do?

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.

What does a behavioral technician do?

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 assistant vs behavioral technician salary

Behavioral assistants and behavioral technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavioral AssistantBehavioral Technician
Average salary$39,681$33,282
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $53,000Between $24,000 And $44,000
Highest paying CitySanta Maria, CASomerville, MA
Highest paying stateWashingtonMassachusetts
Best paying companyPhysician Affiliate Group of New YorkMissouri State University
Best paying industryHealth CareEducation

Differences between behavioral assistant and behavioral technician education

There are a few differences between a behavioral assistant and a behavioral technician in terms of educational background:

Behavioral AssistantBehavioral Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 62%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachJohns Hopkins University

Behavioral assistant vs behavioral technician demographics

Here are the differences between behavioral assistants' and behavioral technicians' demographics:

Behavioral AssistantBehavioral Technician
Average age4334
Gender ratioMale, 28.7% Female, 71.3%Male, 32.7% Female, 67.3%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage11%15%

Differences between behavioral assistant and behavioral technician duties and responsibilities

Behavioral assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work one-on-one with students as well as small groups as instructed by teacher to help achieve goals outline by the IEP.
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Develop rapport and trust of physicians and patients to assure confidence and execution of therapy plans resulting in successful patient rehabilitation.
  • Apply behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-base methods are used to decrease challenging behaviors and teach skills.
  • Assist BCBA consultants providing comprehensive educational, social, behavioral, and community services to young children on the autism spectrum.
  • Implement modifications outline in IEP.
  • Show more

Behavioral technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Train in CPR and restraint techniques, as well as behavioral training to detect the precursors to behavioral issues.
  • Experience with individuals of all ages affect by autism and other behavioral, developmental or communication disorders
  • Implement behavioral support plans provide and produce by apply behavior analysts for individual consumers diagnose with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate psycho-social education groups with interventions used but not limit to motivational interviewing, mental rehabilitation and think processes.
  • Provide observation, documentation and communication of patient behavioral and verbal responses /reactions between patients and between patients and staff.
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Behavioral assistant vs behavioral technician skills

Common behavioral assistant skills
  • Behavioral Interventions, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%
Common behavioral technician skills
  • Autism, 18%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 13%
  • Behavior Analysis, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, 5%
  • Patients, 4%

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