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The differences between behavioral specialists and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a behavioral specialist, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, 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 behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $42,029 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $20.21 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 74,968 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
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 specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $42,029 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $61,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Anchorage, AK | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Barbarian | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a behavioral specialist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavioral specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| 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, 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 | 12% | 15% |