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The differences between psychological assistants and behavioral assistants can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a psychological assistant and a behavioral assistant. Additionally, a psychological assistant has an average salary of $68,862, which is higher than the $39,681 average annual salary of a behavioral assistant.
The top three skills for a psychological assistant include patients, crisis intervention and mental illness. The most important skills for a behavioral assistant are behavioral interventions, mental health, and patients.
| Psychological Assistant | Behavioral Assistant | |
| Yearly salary | $68,862 | $39,681 |
| Hourly rate | $33.11 | $19.08 |
| Growth rate | 12% | 12% |
| Number of jobs | 90,785 | 80,685 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 3 |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
A psychological assistant primarily performs support tasks to assist a psychologist in treating patients at a medical facility. Their duties focus on helping patients by answering inquiries, giving instructions, explaining procedures, gathering requirements, and conducting initial assessments. They can participate in serving the patients under the supervision and directives of a licensed psychologist. Additionally, a psychological assistant may also participate in conducting research, preparing and processing necessary paperwork, handling calls and other forms of correspondence, and attending meetings and seminars.
Behavioral Assistants are responsible for providing support and capacity in behavioral and clinical services for students with disabilities. Their duties include addressing behavior management safety needs, supporting emotional and social needs, giving academic support, and implementing behavioral improvement plans. They also deal with physical management, behavior de-escalations, and undertake student reviews with the teacher regularly. Behavioral Assistants will also collect data, write student reports, and ensure health and hygiene protocols are adhered to.
Psychological assistants and behavioral assistants have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Psychological Assistant | Behavioral Assistant | |
| Average salary | $68,862 | $39,681 |
| Salary range | Between $44,000 And $105,000 | Between $29,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | Sparks, NV | Santa Maria, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Washington |
| Best paying company | New York University | Physician Affiliate Group of New York |
| Best paying industry | Non Profits | Health Care |
There are a few differences between a psychological assistant and a behavioral assistant in terms of educational background:
| Psychological Assistant | Behavioral Assistant | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 52% | Bachelor's Degree, 62% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | Northwestern University | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between psychological assistants' and behavioral assistants' demographics:
| Psychological Assistant | Behavioral Assistant | |
| Average age | 43 | 43 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | Male, 28.7% Female, 71.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 12.9% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 20.5% Asian, 6.9% White, 50.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 3.0% | Black or African American, 12.2% Unknown, 5.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.6% Asian, 6.3% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.1% |
| LGBT Percentage | 11% | 11% |