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The differences between mental health workers and mental 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 worker and a mental health specialist. Additionally, a mental health specialist has an average salary of $47,321, which is higher than the $41,081 average annual salary of a mental health worker.
The top three skills for a mental health worker include patients, crisis intervention and social work. The most important skills for a mental health specialist are patients, social work, and rehabilitation.
| Mental Health Worker | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $41,081 | $47,321 |
| Hourly rate | $19.75 | $22.75 |
| Growth rate | 9% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 144,879 | 131,449 |
| Job satisfaction | 1 | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
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.
Mental health workers and mental health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Mental Health Worker | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $41,081 | $47,321 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $59,000 | Between $31,000 And $71,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Pacific Northwest National Laboratory | Research Foundation For Mental Hygiene Inc |
| Best paying industry | Professional | Government |
There are a few differences between a mental health worker and a mental health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Mental Health Worker | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| 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 workers' and mental health specialists' demographics:
| Mental Health Worker | Mental Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 45 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 34.9% Female, 65.1% | Male, 32.9% Female, 67.1% |
| 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% |