Foster care worker vs behavioral health specialist

The differences between foster care workers and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a foster care worker and a behavioral health specialist. Additionally, a foster care worker has an average salary of $46,037, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.

The top three skills for a foster care worker include foster care, social work and child abuse. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.

Foster care worker vs behavioral health specialist overview

	Foster Care Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Yearly salary	$46,037	$44,808
Hourly rate	$22.13	$21.54
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	151,625	130,222
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Average age	42	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a foster care worker do?

A Foster Care Worker helps improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families as well as increases the family's well-being and the academic functioning of children. They counsel families about issues regarding their child's care and develop healthy living situations.

What does a behavioral health specialist do?

Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.

Foster care worker vs behavioral health specialist salary

Foster care workers and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Foster Care Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average salary	$46,037	$44,808
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $65,000	Between $29,000 And $66,000
Highest paying City	Baltimore, MD	Anchorage, AK
Highest paying state	New Jersey	Alaska
Best paying company	Riverview Health	Maxim Healthcare Group
Best paying industry	Construction	Insurance

Differences between foster care worker and behavioral health specialist education

There are a few differences between a foster care worker and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:

	Foster Care Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 64%	Bachelor's Degree, 58%
Most common major	Social Work	Psychology
Most common college	Boston University	California State University - Long Beach

Foster care worker vs behavioral health specialist demographics

Here are the differences between foster care workers' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:

	Foster Care Worker	Behavioral Health Specialist
Average age	42	45
Gender ratio	Male, 20.1% Female, 79.9%	Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 13.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 15.1% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 7.9% Asian, 3.1% White, 74.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%
LGBT Percentage	10%	15%

Differences between foster care worker and behavioral health specialist duties and responsibilities

Foster care worker example responsibilities.

Conduct unscheduled regular school visits to attain records of attendance, suspensions, IEP, and treatment plans.
Manage to write progress note, complete FASP's and input information on PROMIS on a timely manner.
Manage caseload of 18 23 children and adolescents in DSS custody due to abuse, neglect and criminal activity.
Manage a caseload of families with children in DSS custody awaiting return home to family of origin base upon progress make.
Lead presentation and training sessions to community and inter-agency groups.
Help children/youth in state custody achieve permanency whether through reintegration, adoption or custodianship.

Behavioral health specialist example responsibilities.

Provide individualize intervention for problematic behaviors using TCI techniques such as de-escalation, to prevent and/or manage crisis.
Complete training in CPR, self-defense, and mental health.
Monitor meals for residents suffering from eating disorders and provide compassion and encouragement when an individual are struggling with eating.
Work with kids who have special needs.
Ensure departments are in compliance with MSHA and OSHA regulations.
Provide daily and weekly detail reports on client and BHP interaction.

Foster care worker vs behavioral health specialist skills

Common foster care worker skills

Foster Care, 26%
Social Work, 19%
Child Abuse, 7%
Social Services, 6%
Foster Children, 5%
Community Resources, 4%

Common behavioral health specialist skills

Patients, 16%
Social Work, 16%
Substance Abuse, 8%
Rehabilitation, 6%
Patient Care, 6%
Mental Illness, 5%

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Foster Care Worker
Foster Care Worker vs Behavioral Health Specialist

Updated January 8, 2025

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