BCBAs earn $53K–$83K per year depending on state, credential, and experience. Explore salary data for all 50 states.
Job growth 20–25% · 132,307 postings (2025)| Credential | Education | Salary range | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| BCBABoard Certified Behavior Analyst | Master's degree | $53,000–$83,000 | ~$69,000 |
| BCaBABoard Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst | Bachelor's degree | $45,000–$65,000 | ~$55,000 |
| RBTRegistered Behavior Technician | High school + 40-hr training | $25,000–$54,000 | ~$36,000 |
BCBAs in New Jersey earn $83K while those in Georgia earn $53K — a 57% gap. States with higher costs of living (CT, MA, HI, NJ) consistently pay more to attract talent, while lower-cost states offer salaries that stretch further despite lower nominal pay.
BCBAs (master's-level) earn roughly double what RBTs (40-hour certificate) make. BCaBAs fall in between. Each step up the credentialing ladder unlocks higher pay, greater autonomy, and more career advancement options.
Entry-level BCBAs typically earn 10–20% below state averages, while those with 5–10+ years of experience and specialized expertise (e.g., feeding disorders, severe behavior) can earn 15–30% above. Leadership roles push salaries higher still.
Clinic-based BCBAs often earn steady salaries with benefits. In-home providers may earn higher hourly rates but face travel time. School-based positions offer summer breaks. Private practice and consulting can yield the highest earnings but come with business overhead.
Select your state to see detailed BCBA and RBT salary data, cost-of-living context, and local FAQs.
Total certificant numbers come from the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) monthly certificant reports (July 2025).
State-level BCBA salary estimates are aggregated from ZipRecruiter and World Population Review active postings data, cross-referenced with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for behavioral health roles.
RBT hourly and annual figures are sourced from CrossRiverTherapy national compensation surveys and verified against state job posting aggregates.
Growth projections and posting volumes are derived from BACB workforce reports and BLS occupational outlook data for psychology and behavioral health practitioner categories.
Last reviewed: 2026-04-15. Higglo compiles and normalizes publicly available data for caregiver and operator research. Individual salaries may vary by employer, experience, and setting.
The national median BCBA salary is approximately $68,000–$72,000 per year in 2026. However, salaries vary widely by state — from $53,007 in Georgia to $83,183 in New Jersey. Cost of living, demand, and experience level all influence actual compensation.
RBTs earn an average of $12–$26 per hour depending on the state. Hawaii leads at $26.07/hr, while Idaho is at the lower end around $12.16/hr. The national average is approximately $17–$18/hr. Many RBTs also receive benefits like health insurance and paid time off.
Yes. BCBAs enjoy strong job prospects with 20–25% projected growth through the late 2020s — far above the average for all occupations. The field had 132,307 job postings in 2025, a 28% increase over 2024. Median salaries of $68K–$72K with a master's degree compare favorably to many other helping professions.
As of July 2025, there were approximately 48,352 Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) in the US, according to the BACB. Additionally, there were approximately 186,880 Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). The workforce has been growing rapidly to meet demand.
Generally yes. The national median BCBA salary of $68,000–$72,000 exceeds the national average teacher salary of approximately $60,000–$65,000. BCBAs in high-paying states like New Jersey ($83K), Tennessee ($79K), and Massachusetts ($79K) can significantly out-earn teachers. However, school-based BCBAs may follow teacher pay scales.
New Jersey pays BCBAs the most at $83,183 per year on average, followed by Tennessee ($79,464), Massachusetts ($78,612), Hawaii ($78,202), and Minnesota ($77,480). However, cost of living matters — states like Tennessee and Ohio offer strong purchasing power because salaries are high relative to living costs.
BCBAs can increase their salary by gaining specialized expertise (feeding disorders, OBM, severe behavior), pursuing leadership or clinical director roles, moving to higher-paying states or metros, obtaining a BCBA-D (doctoral level), starting a private practice, or negotiating based on their case outcomes and experience.
The job outlook is excellent. ABA-related roles are projected to grow 20–25% through the late 2020s, far outpacing the average for all occupations. In 2025 alone, there were 132,307 job postings requesting a BCBA credential — a 28% increase over 2024. Growing autism diagnosis rates and expanding insurance mandates continue to fuel demand.
Higglo works with ABA practices on marketing, recruiting, and growth strategy. Talk to our team about attracting top BCBA and RBT talent.
