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The differences between substance abuse technicians and mental health associates can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 4-6 years to become a substance abuse technician, becoming a mental health associate takes usually requires 2-4 years. Additionally, a mental health associate has an average salary of $36,510, which is higher than the $35,408 average annual salary of a substance abuse technician.
The top three skills for a substance abuse technician include substance abuse treatment, patients and mental health. The most important skills for a mental health associate are patients, customer service, and vital signs.
| Substance Abuse Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Yearly salary | $35,408 | $36,510 |
| Hourly rate | $17.02 | $17.55 |
| Growth rate | 4% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 90,710 | 122,947 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Years of experience | 6 | 4 |
A substance abuse technician works at facilities that aim to support the treatment of clients suffering from alcoholism, drug addiction, and other interfering behavior. They work alongside counselors and fellow technicians in the joint effort to implement rehabilitation programs and help patients reach their journey to sobriety. Moreover, a substance abuse technician develops and coordinates treatment plans with health care professionals, conducts research and assessments, administers medications according to protocols, and monitors the patients' progress throughout the rehabilitation processes.
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.
Substance abuse technicians and mental health associates have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Substance Abuse Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average salary | $35,408 | $36,510 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $49,000 | Between $25,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | Kingman, AZ | New York, NY |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | New York |
| Best paying company | Sea Mar Community Health Centers | Columbia University in the City of New York |
| Best paying industry | Manufacturing | Professional |
There are a few differences between a substance abuse technician and a mental health associate in terms of educational background:
| Substance Abuse Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 46% | Bachelor's Degree, 66% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between substance abuse technicians' and mental health associates' demographics:
| Substance Abuse Technician | Mental Health Associate | |
| Average age | 39 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 33.7% Female, 66.3% | Male, 33.0% Female, 67.0% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 | 12% | 15% |