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The differences between mental health associates 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 associate and a mental health clinician. Additionally, a mental health clinician has an average salary of $54,359, 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 mental health clinician are social work, patients, and mental health.
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Yearly salary | $36,510 | $54,359 |
| Hourly rate | $17.55 | $26.13 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 122,947 | 91,347 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Master's Degree, 49% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| 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 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 associates and mental health clinicians have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Average salary | $36,510 | $54,359 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $51,000 | Between $36,000 And $80,000 |
| 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 | City and County of Denver Government |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Education |
There are a few differences between a mental health associate and a mental health clinician in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | 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 associates' and mental health clinicians' demographics:
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Clinician | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | 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% |