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The differences between behavioral health technicians and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $34,611 average annual salary of a behavioral health technician.
The top three skills for a behavioral health technician include patients, behavioral health and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $34,611 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $16.64 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 99,503 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A behavioral health technician participates in treating patients with behavioral problems caused by mental health issues. They are primarily responsible for monitoring the behavior of the patient, following the guidelines of treatment from a mental health professional, and regularly reporting any progress or problems. Moreover, a behavioral health technician must also carry out administrative tasks, which include producing reports and assessments, answering inquiries and correspondence, maintaining schedules, and keeping records. Furthermore, it is essential to give emotional support to a patient, providing them with a safe and healthy environment at all times.
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 health technicians and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $34,611 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $47,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a behavioral health technician and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavioral health technicians' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.4% Female, 63.6% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 15% | 15% |