Post job

Behavioral technician vs clinical therapist

The differences between behavioral technicians and clinical therapists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a clinical therapist has an average salary of $57,864, which is higher than the $33,282 average annual salary of a behavioral technician.

The top three skills for a behavioral technician include autism, applied behavior analysis and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a clinical therapist are social work, patients, and crisis intervention.

Behavioral technician vs clinical therapist overview

Behavioral TechnicianClinical Therapist
Yearly salary$33,282$57,864
Hourly rate$16.00$27.82
Growth rate9%17%
Number of jobs45,287136,898
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Master's Degree, 51%
Average age3441
Years of experience--

What does a behavioral technician do?

A behavioral technician is responsible for supporting patients to overcome their behavior problems and difficulties. Behavioral technicians evaluate the patient's condition through counseling and administer behavioral treatment plans according to the patients' needs. They also coordinate with other physicians and mental health professionals for medications and more serious medical support as needed. A behavioral technician assists the patients in their daily activities, observe their social and personal behaviors, write progress reports, and develop engaging activities that would help them bring back a healthy lifestyle and growth.

What does a clinical therapist do?

A Clinical Therapist works with patients to help identify, examine, and treat mental health and emotional issues or disorders. They counsel individuals or groups regarding psychological or emotional problems, as well as observe clients to detect indications of abnormal physical or mental behavior.

Behavioral technician vs clinical therapist salary

Behavioral technicians and clinical therapists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Behavioral TechnicianClinical Therapist
Average salary$33,282$57,864
Salary rangeBetween $24,000 And $44,000Between $42,000 And $77,000
Highest paying CitySomerville, MALos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateMassachusettsCalifornia
Best paying companyMissouri State UniversityCVS Health
Best paying industryEducationGovernment

Differences between behavioral technician and clinical therapist education

There are a few differences between a behavioral technician and a clinical therapist in terms of educational background:

Behavioral TechnicianClinical Therapist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Master's Degree, 51%
Most common majorPsychologySocial Work
Most common collegeJohns Hopkins UniversityCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Behavioral technician vs clinical therapist demographics

Here are the differences between behavioral technicians' and clinical therapists' demographics:

Behavioral TechnicianClinical Therapist
Average age3441
Gender ratioMale, 32.7% Female, 67.3%Male, 23.4% Female, 76.6%
Race ratioBlack 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, 4.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 11.2% White, 72.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage15%12%

Differences between behavioral technician and clinical therapist duties and responsibilities

Behavioral technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
  • Train in CPR and restraint techniques, as well as behavioral training to detect the precursors to behavioral issues.
  • Experience with individuals of all ages affect by autism and other behavioral, developmental or communication disorders
  • Implement behavioral support plans provide and produce by apply behavior analysts for individual consumers diagnose with autism spectrum disorder.
  • Facilitate psycho-social education groups with interventions used but not limit to motivational interviewing, mental rehabilitation and think processes.
  • Provide observation, documentation and communication of patient behavioral and verbal responses /reactions between patients and between patients and staff.
  • Show more

Clinical therapist example responsibilities.

  • Provide clinical consultation to consumers and clients regarding manage care services and other benefits available to them through their EAP programs.
  • Provide direct treatment services such as individual/group therapy and intervene in crisis situations when patients exhibit acute psychiatric symptoms.
  • Direct patients to designate residential or supportive living options, community base placement/ treatment or other resources as necessary.
  • Provide training for federal and public organizations regarding the psychological aspects of veterans having experience combat or military sexual trauma.
  • Work closely with a license orthotist/prosthetist to obtain orthotics for children who require them.

Behavioral technician vs clinical therapist skills

Common behavioral technician skills
  • Autism, 18%
  • Applied Behavior Analysis, 13%
  • Behavior Analysis, 12%
  • CPR, 7%
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder, 5%
  • Patients, 4%
Common clinical therapist skills
  • Social Work, 26%
  • Patients, 12%
  • Crisis Intervention, 8%
  • Mental Health, 4%
  • Discharge Planning, 4%
  • Community Resources, 3%

Browse healthcare practitioner and technical jobs