Posted on August 29th, 2025 in Blog, Social Sciences

Behavioral Health Specialist Salary and Job Description

Behavioral health encompasses certain specific mental, social, and emotional factors related to an individual’s overall well-being. When a person faces mental health challenges, such as anxiety or depression, or a substance use disorder, getting professional support can make a life-changing difference. A behavioral health specialist is one type of professional who can provide that support by helping the person develop healthier behaviors and improve their mental health.

Individuals interested in pursuing a career in which they can have a direct and lasting impact on the lives of others might want to consider this field. The path to becoming a behavioral health specialist often starts with earning a relevant undergraduate degree, like a bachelor’s in psychology and human development, but understanding exactly what the position entails before starting that journey is important.

Behavioral Health Specialist Job Description

Behavioral health specialists counsel clients — adults and children — who are dealing with behavioral or developmental issues. They work with these individuals to create treatment strategies aimed at helping them manage or reduce the impact of conditions such as depression and anxiety.

Behavioral health specialists’ strategies are informed by observing, evaluating, and directly communicating with their clients and often with the clients’ family members, their teachers, or other members of their support system as well. Behavioral health specialists’ specific tasks often include:

Evaluating clients’ behavior
Guiding clients through treatment
Writing reports about clients’ treatment
Analyzing the results of clients’ treatment

Behavioral health specialists work in a wide variety of environments, from schools to healthcare facilities to government agencies. Many focus on a specific population. They generally work in an office, meeting with individuals or groups. Depending on their location, some behavioral health specialists may work weekends, nights, and holidays.

As is true in other psychology-related roles, the goal of behavioral health specialists is to help individuals improve their mental and emotional health. This can also benefit their physical health by, for example, lowering their risk of developing a chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, or Alzheimer’s disease.

Behavioral Health Specialist Skills and Traits

Successful behavioral health specialists possess a mix of certain hard and soft skills. In addition to expertise in human behavior and development, these professionals must have research skills and be adept at data analysis. Required soft skills and traits include interpersonal communication skills, empathy, flexibility, resilience, and leadership skills.

The role also demands a level of comfort with complexity, continuous learning, independent decision-making, and ambiguity.

How to Become a Behavioral Health Specialist

Because the work of a behavioral health specialist can have such a profound impact on the lives of their clients, most professionals follow a clear, step-by-step path before practicing independently.

Step 1: Meet Educational Requirements

The journey toward a behavioral health career starts with earning an undergraduate degree, often in psychology, though sociology, social work, or education are also relevant fields of study. This serves as a steppingstone for pursuing a master’s degree, which is often considered the educational benchmark for the profession.

Master’s degree programs may focus on psychology, behavioral analysis, social work, or a related field. Graduate study deepens an individual’s behavioral health knowledge and skills and provides them with an opportunity to specialize, such as by choosing to work only with children.

Step 2: Gain Experience

Acquiring the experience needed to qualify to work as a behavioral health specialist typically involves the completion of a training program. These programs are sometimes part of an advanced degree program, through supervised training or fieldwork in a real-world but controlled environment.

Individuals may also gain experience working in entry-level mental health roles such as behavioral health technician or psychiatric technician.

Step 3: Obtain Licensure

To practice, a behavioral health specialist must be licensed in the state where they work. Each state has different guidelines regarding licensure. Typical requirements include:

Earning an advanced degree
Completing a specific number of supervised work hours
Obtaining a passing score on a state-recognized exam
Getting a clean background check, particularly important for those who work with children

Licensure titles for behavioral health specialists may include licensed behavior analyst, licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT), and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).

Step 4: Consider Certification

While certification isn’t required for all behavioral health specialist roles, it can help candidates stand out to employers. Common certifications include the board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) and board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) credentials. For both certifications, candidates must meet eligibility requirements, pass a competency exam that tests an applicant’s applied knowledge, and renew the certification at regular intervals.

Behavioral Health Specialist Salary and Job Growth

According to Payscale, the median annual salary for behavioral health specialists is approximately $64,000 as of July 2025. Factors such as their level of education, years of experience, job location, and work environment can influence an individual’s actual pay.

The job outlook for behavioral health specialists is promising in the long term. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects 19% job growth for all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors between 2023 and 2033. This represents a significantly faster rate of growth than the 4% average growth projected for all professions. The BLS notes that the increased demand is expected to be due to an increase in the number of people with mental health and behavioral issues.

Take a Step Toward a Fulfilling Career

Choosing to become a behavioral health specialist means committing to helping others improve their well-being and overall quality of life. The work can bring a level of personal and professional satisfaction that can make this a rewarding career choice.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Human Development degree program from Warner Pacific University (WPU) Online can help you take the first step toward this career. This accelerated program, available in both online and hybrid formats, is designed to help working professionals gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel in the field while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Learn how WPU Online can help prepare you to make an impact in the lives of others.

Sources:
Behavioral Analyst Certification Board, Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst
Behavioral Analyst Certification Board, Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Behavioral Analyst Certification Board, Registered Behavior Technician
Behavioral Health Tech, “Stepping Into Behavioral Health: The Must-Have Skills”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, About Behavioral Health
Indeed, “Behavioral Specialist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications”
Indeed, “How to Become a Behavioral Specialist: A Step-by-Step Guide”
National Institute of Mental Health, “Understanding the Link Between Chronic Disease and Depression”
Oregon Health Authority, Behavior Analysis Regulatory Board – License Information
Payscale, Average Behavioral Health Specialist Hourly Pay
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Psychiatric Technicians and Aides
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors