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The differences between behavioral therapists 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 therapist and a behavior analyst. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $37,881 average annual salary of a behavioral therapist.
The top three skills for a behavioral therapist include autism, social work and behavior analysis. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.
| Behavioral Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $37,881 | $73,616 |
| Hourly rate | $18.21 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 91,976 | 67,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 6 |
A behavioral therapist is responsible for supporting patients with various developmental disorders and behavioral difficulties. Behavioral therapists conduct counseling to the patients, identifying their personal and social challenges, and administering treatment plans to modify unusual behaviors. They also coordinate with other medical professionals to plan activities and therapy sessions for patients' needs. A behavioral therapist maintains a record of the patients' progress, help them on developing social engagement, and adjust treatment strategies depending on the patients' noticeable changes.
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 therapists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average salary | $37,881 | $73,616 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $51,000 | Between $51,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | George C. Grape Community Hospital | Empower U |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Government |
There are a few differences between a behavioral therapist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | 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 therapists' and behavior analysts' demographics:
| Behavioral Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average age | 39 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4% | 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% |