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The differences between behavioral health specialists and living specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a behavioral health specialist, becoming a living specialist takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $36,759 average annual salary of a living specialist.
The top three skills for a behavioral health specialist include patients, social work and substance abuse. The most important skills for a living specialist are independent living, community resources, and autism.
| Behavioral Health Specialist | Living Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $44,808 | $36,759 |
| Hourly rate | $21.54 | $17.67 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 130,222 | 49,916 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
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.
A living specialist is a person who is responsible for assisting and guiding individuals that have difficulties caring for themselves. They are the person who helps them in doing household chores and guiding them throughout the cleaning process. This career is an important position in society because it provides care for those who are in need.
Behavioral health specialists and living specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Health Specialist | Living Specialist | |
| Average salary | $44,808 | $36,759 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $66,000 | Between $28,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New York |
| Best paying company | Maxim Healthcare Group | Terros Health |
| Best paying industry | Insurance | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a behavioral health specialist and a living specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Health Specialist | Living Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | SUNY at Binghamton |
Here are the differences between behavioral health specialists' and living specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Health Specialist | Living Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.7% Hispanic or Latino, 16.1% Asian, 6.8% White, 60.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 11% |