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The differences between behavioral therapists and treatment 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 therapist, becoming a treatment specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a treatment specialist has an average salary of $53,673, 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 treatment specialist are social work, mental health, and rehabilitation.
| Behavioral Therapist | Treatment Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,881 | $53,673 |
| Hourly rate | $18.21 | $25.80 |
| Growth rate | 14% | - |
| Number of jobs | 91,976 | 67,604 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
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.
The duties of a treatment specialist depend on their line of work or industry of employment. In the medical industry, a treatment specialist is primarily responsible for developing treatments according to the needs and conditions of a patient. They gather and analyze a patient's medical history and records, conduct extensive tests and examinations, coordinate with other medical experts, and discuss the extent of treatments to patients. Furthermore, a treatment specialist must maintain an active communication line with staff for a smooth and efficient workflow.
Behavioral therapists and treatment specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Behavioral Therapist | Treatment Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,881 | $53,673 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $51,000 | Between $34,000 And $82,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | Washington, DC |
| Highest paying state | New York | Alaska |
| Best paying company | George C. Grape Community Hospital | Delaware State Government |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Non Profits |
There are a few differences between a behavioral therapist and a treatment specialist in terms of educational background:
| Behavioral Therapist | Treatment Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between behavioral therapists' and treatment specialists' demographics:
| Behavioral Therapist | Treatment Specialist | |
| Average age | 39 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.6% Female, 76.4% | Male, 37.5% Female, 62.5% |
| 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, 12.2% Unknown, 2.6% Hispanic or Latino, 14.8% Asian, 2.1% White, 67.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 12% | 10% |