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Mental health worker vs psychologist

The differences between mental health workers and psychologists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a psychologist has an average salary of $97,803, 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 psychologist are patients, crisis intervention, and rehabilitation.

Mental health worker vs psychologist overview

Mental Health WorkerPsychologist
Yearly salary$41,081$97,803
Hourly rate$19.75$47.02
Growth rate9%6%
Number of jobs144,87912,516
Job satisfaction1-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Average age4547
Years of experience4-

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 psychologist do?

Sales managers are responsible for leading the organization's sales team. They oversee the progress and performance of the whole team, set area assignments to team members, and set weekly or monthly quotas. Sales managers oversee training team members during onboarding and providing further coaching to help them achieve their goals. They manage the challenges that team members may meet and help mitigate any problems that come along the way. Sales managers also set the strategic direction of the sales team and follow through by ensuring that the team's activities are in line with the goals.

Mental health worker vs psychologist salary

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

Mental Health WorkerPsychologist
Average salary$41,081$97,803
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $59,000Between $68,000 And $139,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyPacific Northwest National LaboratorySierra Corporation
Best paying industryProfessionalHealth Care

Differences between mental health worker and psychologist education

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

Mental Health WorkerPsychologist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 47%
Most common majorPsychologyPsychology
Most common collegeCalifornia State University - Long BeachNorthwestern University

Mental health worker vs psychologist demographics

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

Mental Health WorkerPsychologist
Average age4547
Gender ratioMale, 34.9% Female, 65.1%Male, 35.2% Female, 64.8%
Race ratioBlack 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, 5.1% Unknown, 3.6% Hispanic or Latino, 10.8% Asian, 4.2% White, 75.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2%
LGBT Percentage15%20%

Differences between mental health worker and psychologist 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.
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Psychologist example responsibilities.

  • Supervise mental health staff, including the overseeing of the provision of mental health services in a correctional facility.
  • Provide EMDR therapy for clients with trauma and anxiety.
  • Perform tests to diagnose autism in children or tests for the detection of autism at an early age.
  • Provide supervision and mentoring for APA Pre-Doctoral interns.
  • Supervise clinical activities of doctoral level psychology interns in APA accredit internship program.
  • Evaluate veterans for psychological disorders that may have resulted secondary to their military service for compensation purposes.
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Mental health worker vs psychologist skills

Common mental health worker skills
  • Patients, 20%
  • Crisis Intervention, 6%
  • Social Work, 6%
  • CPR, 5%
  • Vital Signs, 5%
  • Rehabilitation, 4%
Common psychologist skills
  • Patients, 18%
  • Crisis Intervention, 7%
  • Rehabilitation, 6%
  • Mental Illness, 5%
  • Clinical Supervision, 5%
  • APA, 4%

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