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The differences between mental health assistants and mental health clinicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a mental health assistant and a mental health clinician. Additionally, a mental health clinician has an average salary of $54,359, which is higher than the $34,333 average annual salary of a mental health assistant.
The top three skills for a mental health assistant include patients, substance abuse and direct patient care. The most important skills for a mental health clinician are social work, patients, and mental health.
| Mental Health Assistant | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Yearly salary | $34,333 | $54,359 |
| Hourly rate | $16.51 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 133,248 | 91,347 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A mental health assistant is responsible for supporting patients with mental and emotional issues under the supervision of psychiatrists and other mental health professionals. Mental health assistants assist patients in performing their daily activities, monitoring their progress, and observing their personal and social behaviors. They also conduct recreational and engaging activities for the patients as part of their cooperative treatment plans. A mental health assistant ensures that the rooms and facilities are clean and safe at all times to prevent potential hazards and accidents.
A Mental Health Clinician provides psychotherapeutic and rehabilitation services for patients with mental health problems. They manage the treatment of clients and help them to obtain stable physical health.
Mental health assistants and mental health clinicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Assistant | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Average salary | $34,333 | $54,359 |
| Salary range | Between $24,000 And $48,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| Highest paying City | Oakland, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Medical University of South Carolina | City and County of Denver Government |
| Best paying industry | Government | Education |
There are a few differences between a mental health assistant and a mental health clinician in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Assistant | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 53% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between mental health assistants' and mental health clinicians' demographics:
| Mental Health Assistant | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.8% Female, 66.2% | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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% |