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The differences between speech pathologists and behavior analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a speech pathologist, becoming a behavior analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $62,640 average annual salary of a speech pathologist.
The top three skills for a speech pathologist include patients, language and speech. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.
| Speech Pathologist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $62,640 | $73,616 |
| Hourly rate | $30.12 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 21% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 22,779 | 67,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 2 | 6 |
The job of speech pathologists is to diagnose, treat, and prevent speech, social communication, language, swallowing, and cognitive-communication disorders in both children and adults. They are responsible for providing aural rehabilitation for people with hearing impairment and hearing loss, and alternative and augmentative systems for people with severe language comprehension disorders such as progressive neurological disorders and the autism spectrum. Speech pathologists may also work with individuals without language, swallowing, or speech disorders, but are eager to know how to communicate more effectively.
A behavior analyst is responsible for supporting patients and students with mental and social difficulties, developing treatment plans to address their learning and/or social disabilities. Behavior analysts monitor the students' progress by evaluating their learning and providing them with comprehensive materials and resources according to a targeted curriculum. They also adjust therapy programs as needed, coordinating with other health professionals, students' families, and teachers to provide the best techniques to support their development.
Speech pathologists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Speech Pathologist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average salary | $62,640 | $73,616 |
| Salary range | Between $43,000 And $89,000 | Between $51,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | Nevada | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Mayo Clinic | Empower U |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Government |
There are a few differences between a speech pathologist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:
| Speech Pathologist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 54% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Communication Disorders Sciences | Psychology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between speech pathologists' and behavior analysts' demographics:
| Speech Pathologist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average age | 40 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 11.9% Female, 88.1% | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 9.5% Asian, 4.5% White, 77.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 12% |