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The differences between health specialists and behavioral health 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 health specialist, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a health specialist has an average salary of $47,740, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.
The top three skills for a health specialist include patients, health education and public health. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $47,740 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $22.95 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 6% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 72,463 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A health specialist is primarily responsible for the health and welfare care of patients in a community or medical facility. They are also responsible for providing consultations, conducting assessments and examinations, providing prescriptions, and recommending care methods. A health specialist may also diagnose and treat ailments and injuries, coordinate with other health experts, and discuss conditions with patients and their families. Furthermore, a health specialist may participate in public discussions to raise awareness of health issues and lifestyles.
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.
Health specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $47,740 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $72,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Alaska |
| Best paying company | City of Seattle | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a health specialist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of Pennsylvania | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between health specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.3% Female, 66.7% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 6.2% Hispanic or Latino, 14.6% Asian, 5.7% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% | 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 | 7% | 15% |