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The differences between behavioral health technicians and psychiatric technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a psychiatric technician has an average salary of $39,662, 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 psychiatric technician are patients, mental health, and social work.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Psychiatric Technician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,611 | $39,662 |
| Hourly rate | $16.64 | $19.07 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 99,503 | 64,888 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Average age | 34 | 34 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
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.
A psychiatric technician is responsible for supporting patients with mental issues and disabilities by administering treatment plans and quality therapeutic care. Psychiatric technicians assist the patients through counseling, observing their mental and social behaviors, and suggesting recreational activities to help them interact with others. They also work with other medical professionals to seek advice, especially when performing medical procedures and suggesting medications. A psychiatric technician must have excellent communication and time-management skills, especially when responding to the patients' concerns and looking after them during daily activities.
Behavioral health technicians and psychiatric technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Health Technician | Psychiatric Technician | |
| Average salary | $34,611 | $39,662 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $47,000 | Between $25,000 And $61,000 |
| Highest paying City | Rochester, NY | Santa Barbara, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | St. Tammany Health System |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Government |
There are a few differences between a behavioral health technician and a psychiatric technician in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Psychiatric Technician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 50% | Bachelor's Degree, 59% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Johns Hopkins University | Johns Hopkins University |
Here are the differences between behavioral health technicians' and psychiatric technicians' demographics:
| Behavioral Health Technician | Psychiatric Technician | |
| Average age | 34 | 34 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 36.4% Female, 63.6% | Male, 40.1% Female, 59.9% |
| 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, 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 | 15% | 15% |