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The differences between health support specialists and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a health support specialist, becoming a behavioral health specialist takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $31,552 average annual salary of a health support specialist.
The top three skills for a health support specialist include patients, social work and CPR. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Health Support Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $31,552 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $15.17 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 152,897 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 58% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 4 |
Health Support Specialists are professionals who assist medical professionals in providing health care to improve or restore the mental or physical well-being of their patients. These specialists must create health plans for families while accompanying children with their appointments to receive the necessary health care that is mandated by the federal government. They are required to provide mental health support services by conducting community outreach programs with local vendors and organizations. Health Support Specialists must also conduct counseling sessions for adolescents about substance abuse.
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 support specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Health Support Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $31,552 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $42,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Medtronic | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Utilities | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a health support specialist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Health Support 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 support specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Health Support Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 26.8% Female, 73.2% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | 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 | 11% | 15% |