Post job

Family service assistant vs behavioral assistant

The differences between family service assistants and behavioral assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a family service assistant and a behavioral assistant. Additionally, a behavioral assistant has an average salary of $39,681, which is higher than the $33,090 average annual salary of a family service assistant.

The top three skills for a family service assistant include social work, child care and community resources. The most important skills for a behavioral assistant are behavioral interventions, mental health, and patients.

Family service assistant vs behavioral assistant overview

Family Service AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Yearly salary$33,090$39,681
Hourly rate$15.91$19.08
Growth rate12%12%
Number of jobs47,47780,685
Job satisfaction-3
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Average age4343
Years of experience1212

What does a family service assistant do?

A family service assistant offers practical and emotional support to family service workers in support of families. Family service workers are often assigned to at-risk clients through government or social service agencies. A service assistant assesses these families' needs to identify how to resolve issues. A family service assistant must have good communication skills, be calm under pressure, and be adaptable.

What does a behavioral assistant do?

Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.

Family service assistant vs behavioral assistant salary

Family service assistants and behavioral assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.

Family Service AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average salary$33,090$39,681
Salary rangeBetween $18,000 And $59,000Between $29,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Maria, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaWashington
Best paying companyMount Sinai Health SystemPhysician Affiliate Group of New York
Best paying industryNon ProfitsHealth Care

Differences between family service assistant and behavioral assistant education

There are a few differences between a family service assistant and a behavioral assistant in terms of educational background:

Family Service AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 57%Bachelor's Degree, 62%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeSUNY at BinghamtonCalifornia State University - Long Beach

Family service assistant vs behavioral assistant demographics

Here are the differences between family service assistants' and behavioral assistants' demographics:

Family Service AssistantBehavioral Assistant
Average age4343
Gender ratioMale, 18.8% Female, 81.2%Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 6.3% White, 54.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.2%Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1%
LGBT Percentage11%11%

Differences between family service assistant and behavioral assistant duties and responsibilities

Family service assistant example responsibilities.

  • Manage the battalion Facebook page to disseminate information out to a more widespread audience.
  • Assist patrons at check-in station, manage equipment rentals, operate POS system and member database.
  • Research and apply knowledge of food allergies and restrictions.
  • Create and conduct small and large group briefings using PowerPoint.
  • Maintain records on parent and child food allergies, as needed.
  • Participate and present monthly orientations for new participants in the TANF and PSP programs.
  • Show more

Behavioral assistant example responsibilities.

  • Work one-on-one with students as well as small groups as instructed by teacher to help achieve goals outline by the IEP.
  • Modele self-help and independent skills to assist autistic and developmentally delay children achieving their establish goals.
  • Develop rapport and trust of physicians and patients to assure confidence and execution of therapy plans resulting in successful patient rehabilitation.
  • Apply behavioral analysis (ABA) and other evidence-base methods are used to decrease challenging behaviors and teach skills.
  • Assist BCBA consultants providing comprehensive educational, social, behavioral, and community services to young children on the autism spectrum.
  • Implement modifications outline in IEP.
  • Show more

Family service assistant vs behavioral assistant skills

Common family service assistant skills
  • Social Work, 19%
  • Child Care, 16%
  • Community Resources, 11%
  • Social Services, 6%
  • Mental Health, 6%
  • Community Agencies, 4%
Common behavioral assistant skills
  • Behavioral Interventions, 12%
  • Mental Health, 10%
  • Patients, 7%
  • Vital Signs, 7%
  • Behavior Management, 7%
  • Autism, 7%

Browse community and social services jobs