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The differences between health care technicians and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a health care technician has an average salary of $36,553, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.
The top three skills for a health care technician include patients, CPR and plant health. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Health Care Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $36,553 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $17.57 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 173,122 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
A health care technician works with laboratory equipment used for the analysis of specimens for diagnosis. The health care technician's role is an integral part of a health care facility as all proper diagnosis stems from accurate laboratory results. Included with a healthcare technician's tasks is to take vital signs, collect samples, and work closely with doctors during patient consultations and check-ups. The health care technician typically works inside a laboratory and is expected to keep the area clean and all equipment is all in working order.
As a mental health associate, you will assist the medical team members in diagnosing and treating individuals with mental, developmental, and behavioral conditions. You may be tasked to facilitate individual and group therapy sessions, help patients with their day-to-day activities such as self-care and hygiene, and assist in administering medications prescribed by physicians. Other duties include planning and leading program activities, attending treatment rounds, and assisting with the physical care of patients. The qualifications and skills required for this role include a bachelor's degree in social science or psychology, previous work experience, and certification on basic life support.
Health care technicians and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Care Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $36,553 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $49,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Chelmsford, MA | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | New York |
| Best paying company | University of California, Berkeley | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between a health care technician and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Health Care Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 35% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Nursing | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between health care technicians' and mental health associates' demographics:
| Health Care Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 34 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 37.8% Female, 62.2% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 15% | 15% |