Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between mental health associates and mental health consultants 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 consultant. Additionally, a mental health consultant has an average salary of $51,006, 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 consultant are healthcare, substance abuse, and patients.
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Consultant | |
| Yearly salary | $36,510 | $51,006 |
| Hourly rate | $17.55 | $24.52 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 122,947 | 127,233 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| 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 consultant is responsible for providing counseling and emotional support to manage a client's issue and control behaviors. Mental health consultants must have excellent communication and listening skills to understand and assess the client's situation and evaluate the level of their emotional and psychological distress. They also need to monitor progress on the client's state and use different psychotherapy methods and treatment plans. A mental health consultant should also reach out to other health professionals to ask assistance for any recovery options as needed.
Mental health associates and mental health consultants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Consultant | |
| Average salary | $36,510 | $51,006 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $51,000 | Between $34,000 And $75,000 |
| 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 | Guidehouse |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a mental health associate and a mental health consultant in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Consultant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 66% | Bachelor's Degree, 53% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | University of Pennsylvania |
Here are the differences between mental health associates' and mental health consultants' demographics:
| Mental Health Associate | Mental Health Consultant | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% | Male, 29.3% Female, 70.7% |
| 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% |