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The differences between mental health specialists and behavioral health specialists 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 specialist and a behavioral health specialist. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, which is higher than the $44,808 average annual salary of a behavioral health specialist.
The top three skills for a mental health specialist include patients, social work and rehabilitation. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Mental Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $47,321 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $22.75 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 131,449 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A mental health specialist is responsible for evaluating a patient's mental health condition and develop appropriate treatment plans to help the patients cope up with their mental difficulties. Mental health specialists provide counseling to the patients, listening to their situation, and responding with the utmost consideration. They also create regular progress reports and medical charts to monitor ongoing medication, updating treatment plans as needed. A mental health specialist must have excellent communication and organization skills, helping the patients deal with their mental stress and return to a healthy lifestyle.
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.
Mental health specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $47,321 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $71,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Government | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a mental health specialist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| 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 specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Mental Health Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| 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% |