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The differences between vocational specialists and behavioral health specialists can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a behavioral health specialist has an average salary of $44,808, which is higher than the $37,486 average annual salary of a vocational specialist.
The top three skills for a vocational specialist include rehabilitation, social work and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a behavioral health specialist are patients, social work, and substance abuse.
| Vocational Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Yearly salary | $37,486 | $44,808 |
| Hourly rate | $18.02 | $21.54 |
| Growth rate | 10% | 9% |
| Number of jobs | 33,643 | 130,222 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Years of experience | - | 4 |
Vocational Specialists are responsible for assisting individuals in finding out their career choices. They interview clients to assess their skills, job history, and personality. Their duties include matching a client's education, training, interests, and experiences to an available job position. They organize aptitude tests to assist the client make career options. They also help with résumé preparation or modification, maintaining client records, arranging reports, and correspondence. Vocal Specialists give support for individuals in times of layoffs or job losses.
Typically working for clinics and learning institutions, a behavioral health specialist is in charge of counseling and treating patients with behavioral issues. Their responsibilities revolve around conducting initial assessment through interview and observation, maintaining records and data, developing treatment plans, and referring patients to other support services when necessary. Moreover, a behavioral health specialist must communicate with the patient's families or guardians, discuss conditions, and provide advice on taking care of them. Aside from treating patients, it is also essential to continuously monitor their behavior while building positive relationships with them.
Vocational specialists and behavioral health specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Vocational Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average salary | $37,486 | $44,808 |
| Salary range | Between $30,000 And $46,000 | Between $29,000 And $66,000 |
| Highest paying City | Pittsburg, CA | Anchorage, AK |
| Highest paying state | California | Alaska |
| Best paying company | New York State Restaurant Association | Maxim Healthcare Group |
| Best paying industry | Health Care | Insurance |
There are a few differences between a vocational specialist and a behavioral health specialist in terms of educational background:
| Vocational Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 62% | Bachelor's Degree, 58% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between vocational specialists' and behavioral health specialists' demographics:
| Vocational Specialist | Behavioral Health Specialist | |
| Average age | 42 | 45 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 31.7% Female, 68.3% | Male, 29.2% Female, 70.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 14.2% Asian, 3.7% White, 67.0% 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 | 11% | 15% |