Mental health worker vs mental health associate

The differences between mental health workers and mental health associates 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 worker and a mental health associate. Additionally, a mental health worker has an average salary of $41,081, which is higher than the $36,510 average annual salary of a mental health associate.

The top three skills for a mental health worker include patients, crisis intervention and social work. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.

Mental health worker vs mental health associate overview

	Mental Health Worker	Mental Health Associate
Yearly salary	$41,081	$36,510
Hourly rate	$19.75	$17.55
Growth rate	9%	9%
Number of jobs	144,879	122,947
Job satisfaction	1	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	4	4

What does a mental health worker do?

A mental health worker is an individual who provides basic care and therapy to patients who are inflicted with mental disabilities or developmental disabilities. Mental health workers assist patients with their daily activities, monitor their conditions, and administer therapeutic care. They may be directly supervised by a registered nurse and can work in facilities such as psychiatric hospitals and residential mental health facilities. They may also help develop treatment plans and strategies with other staff members to best meet patient needs.

What does a mental health associate do?

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.

Mental health worker vs mental health associate salary

Mental health workers and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Mental Health Worker	Mental Health Associate
Average salary	$41,081	$36,510
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $59,000	Between $25,000 And $51,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	New York, NY
Highest paying state	California	New York
Best paying company	Pacific Northwest National Laboratory	Columbia University in the City of New York
Best paying industry	Professional	Professional

Differences between mental health worker and mental health associate education

There are a few differences between a mental health worker and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:

	Mental Health Worker	Mental Health Associate
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 59%	Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common major	Psychology	Psychology
Most common college	California State University - Long Beach	California State University - Long Beach

Mental health worker vs mental health associate demographics

Here are the differences between mental health workers' and mental health associates' demographics:

	Mental Health Worker	Mental Health Associate
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1%	Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0%
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%

Differences between mental health worker and mental health associate duties and responsibilities

Mental health worker example responsibilities.

Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Train in provision of CPI, CPR, food handling, infection control and basic nursing care.
Provide direct care to patients under direction and guidance of professional nursing personnel within a mental illness psychiatric outpatient hospital.
Assist patients in becoming accustom to hospital routine and encourage them to participate in social and recreational activities to promote rehabilitation.
Provide referrals to appropriate multidisciplinary services, including mental health, drug/alcohol rehabilitation services, and medical and physical/occupational therapy services.
Conduct crisis stabilization via sanction CPI techniques with staff assistance.

Mental health associate example responsibilities.

Lead a number of psychotherapy groups including DBT.
Manage other MHA's in their duties and help them problem solving in tense and stressful situations.
Respond to and assist in behavioral codes working as a team member to successfully manage patient using methods obtain in CPI training
Require to participate as an interdisciplinary treatment team member and assist patients in managing activities of daily living.
Treat the patients with compassion, care and respect.
Communicate with doctors, nurses, MHA's, PCA's, and patients both verbally and in writing.

Mental health worker vs mental health associate skills

Common mental health worker skills

Patients, 20%
Crisis Intervention, 6%
Social Work, 6%
CPR, 5%
Vital Signs, 5%
Rehabilitation, 4%

Common mental health associate skills

Patients, 24%
Customer Service, 9%
Vital Signs, 7%
CPR, 6%
Safety Checks, 4%
Social Work, 4%

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Mental Health Worker vs Mental Health Associate

Updated January 8, 2025

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