68X MOS Behavioral Health Specialist — Civilian Career Guide
Assists in providing mental health treatment and counseling services. Conducts screening assessments, facilitates group therapy, and supports soldiers with behavioral health issues.
CAREER PATHS
4
TOP SALARY
$58,380.00
AVG SALARY
$51,058.00
Civilian Career Matches
Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2024). Salaries are national medians — your area may vary.
Psychiatric Technician
SOC 29-2053
$38,430.00
median/yr
Substance Abuse Counselor
SOC 21-1011
$53,710.00
median/yr
Mental Health Counselor (with degree)
SOC 21-1014
$53,710.00
median/yr
Social Worker (with MSW)
SOC 21-1023
$58,380.00
median/yr
What's your next step?
You've got the civilian career picture. Now: pick what to tackle next. Most 68X Behavioral Health Specialist veterans separating in the next 12 months should start here.
Do this first
Start your VA disability claim
File before separation. Every day = back-pay you can't recover. Free claims tracker covers 110+ conditions.
Where to settle
Compare 50 states for veterans
Property tax exemptions, no-state-income-tax states, healthcare access. Side-by-side comparisons.
12-month roadmap
Build your transition timeline
TAP class, VA enrollment, terminal leave, TSP, SkillBridge — all the deadlines no one tells you.
Quick calculator
Estimate your VA combined rating
The VA doesn't add ratings — they use a specific formula. See your combined rating in 30 seconds.
Skills That Transfer
Recommended Certifications
These certifications can increase your salary by 10-25% and make you more competitive for civilian roles.
How to pay for these — you likely don't pay out of pocket
- GI Bill: the Post-9/11 GI Bill reimburses licensing & certification test fees up to $2,000 per exam— and it doesn't use a full month of entitlement.
- While you're still in:your branch's Credentialing Assistance program can cover the full cost of many of these certs (often several thousand dollars a year) — check Army COOL / Credentialing Assistance ↗ for what's funded and current amounts.
- Tip: start certs before you separate — Credentialing Assistance is only for currently-serving members; after separation you shift to the GI Bill.
VA conditions commonly associated with 68X service
The documented noise, physical demands, and exposures of a Behavioral Health Specialist role are commonly linked to the conditions below. This is awareness of what this job can lead to, not a promise of a rating. The VA decides every claim on your own diagnosis and evidence. If you deal with any of these, here is how each is rated.
Rucking, lifting, and body armor load the spine for years.
See how it is rated →Rucks, jumps, and repetitive impact wear the knees.
See how it is rated →Combat, trauma, or high-stress duty can cause lasting symptoms.
See how it is rated →Long hours on your feet in boots inflame the heel/arch.
See how it is rated →High-tempo or high-stakes duty can cause lasting anxiety.
See how it is rated →A free accredited VSO can help you file any of these at no cost. Never pay a fee or a percentage of your back pay for claim help.
Translate Your 68X Experience to a Civilian Resume
Use our free resume builder to convert your Behavioral Health Specialist skills and experience into language civilian employers understand. Built specifically for Army veterans.
68X Behavioral Health Specialist: Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist do?
Assists in providing mental health treatment and counseling services. Conducts screening assessments, facilitates group therapy, and supports soldiers with behavioral health issues.
What civilian jobs can a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist transition into?
Common civilian careers for a 68X (Army MOS) Behavioral Health Specialist include Psychiatric Technician, Substance Abuse Counselor, Mental Health Counselor (with degree), and Social Worker (with MSW). These roles draw on the same skills and experience you built in service — see the full skill-to-career mapping above.
How much does a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist make in civilian work?
Civilian roles that match a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist have median salaries ranging from about $38,430 to $58,380 per year, depending on the role, location, and your certifications and clearance. Figures are BLS median wage data for the matched occupations.
What certifications help a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist land a civilian job?
Certifications that strengthen a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist resume include CADC, LPC (with degree), LCSW (with MSW), and Certified Peer Specialist. Many can be started before you separate, and several are covered by VA education benefits or credentialing programs.
What skills does a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist bring to civilian employers?
Employers value the transferable skills a 68X Behavioral Health Specialist develops, including Mental health assessment, Crisis intervention, Group therapy facilitation, Case management, and Substance abuse treatment. Translating these into civilian terms on your resume is what turns military experience into interviews.
More Army Career Guides
68X Jobs by State
Explore 68X Behavioral Health Specialist career opportunities by state.