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The differences between behavioral specialists and behavior analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 4-6 years to become both a behavioral specialist and a behavior analyst. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $42,029 average annual salary of a behavioral specialist.
The top three skills for a behavioral specialist include mental health, autism and applied behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $42,029 | $73,616 |
| Hourly rate | $20.21 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 74,968 | 67,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A behavioral specialist is a psychological expert providing guidance and counseling to people who have behavioral issues affecting their abilities to learn and socialize with other people. Behavioral specialists assess the level of patients' behavior and make treatment plans to help them cope. They monitor the patient's progress and keep treatment reports, improving or adjusting treatment plans as needed. They also communicate with the patients' family and friends for treatment support, as well as coordinate with other health professionals for additional assistance.
A behavior analyst is responsible for supporting patients and students with mental and social difficulties, developing treatment plans to address their learning and/or social disabilities. Behavior analysts monitor the students' progress by evaluating their learning and providing them with comprehensive materials and resources according to a targeted curriculum. They also adjust therapy programs as needed, coordinating with other health professionals, students' families, and teachers to provide the best techniques to support their development.
Behavioral specialists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average salary | $42,029 | $73,616 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $61,000 | Between $51,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Barbarian | Empower U |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a behavioral specialist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between behavioral specialists' and behavior analysts' demographics:
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 12% |