Chemical dependency technician vs behavioral health technician

The differences between chemical dependency technicians and behavioral health technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a chemical dependency technician has an average salary of $35,341, which is higher than the $34,611 average annual salary of a behavioral health technician.

The top three skills for a chemical dependency technician include chemical dependency, patients and vital signs. The most important skills for a behavioral health technician are patients, behavioral health, and crisis intervention.

Chemical dependency technician vs behavioral health technician overview

	Chemical Dependency Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Yearly salary	$35,341	$34,611
Hourly rate	$16.99	$16.64
Growth rate	4%	9%
Number of jobs	20,927	99,503
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Average age	44	34
Years of experience	2	-

Chemical dependency technician vs behavioral health technician salary

Chemical dependency technicians and behavioral health technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Chemical Dependency Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Average salary	$35,341	$34,611
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $42,000	Between $25,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City	-	Rochester, NY
Highest paying state	-	California
Best paying company	-	University of California, Berkeley
Best paying industry	-	Non Profits

Differences between chemical dependency technician and behavioral health technician education

There are a few differences between a chemical dependency technician and a behavioral health technician in terms of educational background:

	Chemical Dependency Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 49%	Bachelor's Degree, 50%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	University of Washington	Johns Hopkins University

Chemical dependency technician vs behavioral health technician demographics

Here are the differences between chemical dependency technicians' and behavioral health technicians' demographics:

	Chemical Dependency Technician	Behavioral Health Technician
Average age	44	34
Gender ratio	Male, 35.3% Female, 64.7%	Male, 36.4% Female, 63.6%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 6.2% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 5.5% White, 66.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4%	Black 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%
LGBT Percentage	9%	15%

Differences between chemical dependency technician and behavioral health technician duties and responsibilities

Chemical dependency technician example responsibilities.

Drive to pick up new clients, drive clients to outside AA or NA meetings.
Transport to outside AA meetings.
Diagnose and recommend treatment for clients base on ASAM and DSM criteria.
Understand and comply with the practice regulations as outlined by OASAS and JCAHO.
Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharge from detox.
Perform monitoring of detox clients and their medications, as well as their vitals.

Behavioral health technician example responsibilities.

Monitor and manage preventative behavior with 2-3 MHA'S team and carry out a constructive routine with patients.
Provide health monitoring, crisis intervention, supervision, and facilitation of group educational/structure activities for consumers (rehabilitation patients).
Train in CPI to handle physically dangerous crisis situations.
Display sensitivity, integrity, compassion and respect towards patients and family members.
Obtain patients' medical history and vital signs; complete EKG's and blood work.
Prepare for HIPAA reviews, ensuring require brochures and pamphlets are available to patients in all clinics.

Chemical dependency technician vs behavioral health technician skills

Common chemical dependency technician skills

Chemical Dependency, 12%
Patients, 12%
Vital Signs, 11%
Patient Care, 9%
Substance Abuse, 7%
Crisis Intervention, 5%

Common behavioral health technician skills

Patients, 19%
Behavioral Health, 17%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Social Work, 6%
CPR, 5%
Vital Signs, 4%

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Chemical Dependency Technician
Chemical Dependency Technician vs Behavioral Health Technician

Updated January 8, 2025

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