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The differences between mental health associates and community health counselors 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 associate and a community health counselor. Additionally, a community health counselor has an average salary of $43,304, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.
The top three skills for a mental health associate include patients, customer service and vital signs. The most important skills for a community health counselor are social work, behavioral health, and patients.
| Mental Health Associate | Community Health Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $36,510 | $43,304 |
| Hourly rate | $17.55 | $20.82 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 122,947 | 131,804 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
A community health counselor typically provides health and welfare support to the disadvantaged members of a community. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach out to community members, coordinating with schools and other institutions, and building positive relationships with the communities that they serve. They may also provide counseling sessions to individuals of all ages, conduct observations and assessments, perform interventions, and identify any signs of abuse or neglect, reporting to the authorities right away. Furthermore, they may refer families or individuals to other social services unit if necessary.
Mental health associates and community health counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Associate | Community Health Counselor | |
| Average salary | $36,510 | $43,304 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $51,000 | Between $29,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New York | California |
| Best paying company | Columbia University in the City of New York | Apple |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a mental health associate and a community health counselor in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Associate | Community Health Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 61% |
| 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 associates' and community health counselors' demographics:
| Mental Health Associate | Community Health Counselor | |
| Average age | 45 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 31.4% Female, 68.6% |
| 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, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 15% | 15% |