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The differences between behavioral health technicians and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a mental health associate has an average salary of $36,510, 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 mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $34,611 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $16.64 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 99,503 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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.
As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.
Behavioral health technicians and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $34,611 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $47,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | California | New York |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Professional |
There are a few differences between a behavioral health technician and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| 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 mental health associates' demographics:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.4% Female, 63.6% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| 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% |