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BCBA vs SLP vs RBT vs OT: Career ROI

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Updated: February 28, 2024, Reading time: 8 minutes

BCBA vs SLP vs RBT vs OT - featured image

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If you’re interested in making a positive difference in the lives of individuals with various physical and mental challenges, then you should consider becoming one of the following healthcare professionals: 

But which one is the right profession for you? Here, we will take a closer look at the variety of healthcare professionals addressing different issues, and complying with educational and professional requirements. 

Grad School Center is an advertising-supported site. Featured or trusted partner programs and all school search, finder, or match results are for schools that compensate us. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site.

Overview of BCBA, SLP, RBT, and OT Programs and Careers

What Is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst?

What Is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst - Image

Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is an evidence-based practice in the treatment and management of issues related to behavioral disorders, motor skills, and communication skills. In other words, it’s used in understanding, addressing, and influencing an individual’s specific behaviors.

While there are several career opportunities in the ABA field, being a BCBA is among the most popular. 

BCBAs usually work with individuals from vulnerable populations whose personal challenges need behavioral interventions. Their main duties include studying the behavior of children and adults, designing behavior management plans, and improving problematic behaviors, even changing them.

Their clients include individuals with developmental disabilities, such as autism and ADHD, mental health issues, and brain injuries

BCBAs may also work closely with Doctors of Behavioral Health. A DBH professional studies how health behavior affects a patient’s overall well-being, and suggests and devises solutions to these issues.

BCBAs are graduate level professionals who supervise other behavior analysts in the performance of their work. These include Board-Certified Assistant Behavior Analysts (BCaBAs) and Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs). Their advanced education, fieldwork and training make them suitable for supervisory positions. 

Depending on their preferences, BCBAs can also choose a specialization that requires even more advanced training. These specializations include behavioral treatment of developmental disabilities, brain injury rehabilitation, and organizational behavior management.

How to Become One:

Aspiring BCBAs must comply with these four major requirements: 

This Career is for You If:

This Career is Not a Great Fit If:

What Is a Speech-language Pathologist?

What Is a Speech-language Pathologist - Image

Also known as speech therapists, SLPs work with clients with language, speech, voice and/or fluency and swallowing issues that affect their quality of life. To be able to practice, you must earn a Master of Speech Language Pathology (MLSP) degree and obtain state licensure and national certification.

SLPs usually diagnose, treat, and manage articulation, language, voice, speech, swallowing, and social communication disorders among children and adults. They must be educated in accredited schools to become academically qualified for practice.

However, due to the numerous causes of these disorders, SLPs usually work with other healthcare professionals, such as physicians and surgeons, respiratory therapists, and physical and occupational therapists.

Their occupation also means working with social workers, psychologists, and educators, as well as the clients’ families and caregivers.

How to Become One:

You can also become a Board-certified specialist by earning a specialty certification issued by the American Board of Swallowing and Swallowing Disorders, or the American Board of Fluency and Fluency Disorders, or the American Board of Child Language and Language Disorders.

This Career is for You If:

This Career is Not a Great Fit If:

What Is a Registered Behavior Technician?

What Is a Registered Behavior Technician - Image

Under the supervision of BCBAs, RBTs implement individualized behavior intervention plans, monitor and report the progress of clients, and provide direct therapy services. These healthcare professionals are considered paraprofessionals in the ABA field and, thus, their occupation is considered as an entry-level position.

As such, you can choose to remain an RBT or pursue advanced education, training, and licensure to become a BCBA.

How to Become One:

According to the BACB, aspiring RBTs must meet these eligibility requirements: 

The best thing about earning the RBT credential is that you can follow the process and earn the certification in two months or so!

This Career is for You If:

This Career is Not a Great Fit If:

What Is an Occupational Therapist?

What Is an Occupational Therapist - Image

As healthcare professionals, OTs work with children and adults with illnesses, injuries and/or disabilities in the development, recovery, and improvement, as well as maintenance of their skills necessary for everyday activities.

To be able to practice, you must enroll in the OT certification and degree program that is relevant to your career plans.

Their clients’ health conditions can cover their physical, mental, and/or emotional health, negatively affect their ability to perform tasks, such as walking, eating, and taking care of themselves. 

OTs work with individuals with both temporary and permanent disabilities and disorders, too. Their work also involves recommending the use of proper adaptive equipment, such as wheelchairs, that can improve their clients’ daily independence.

Their occupation means working with all ages, from toddlers for early intervention therapy and working adults for ergonomic spaces to elderly people for better mobility.

How to Become One:

OTs can also choose a specialization and earn the appropriate specialty certifications.

This Career is for You If:

This Career is Not a Great Fit If:

BCBA vs SLP vs RBT vs OT - fact

Comparing BCBA, SLP, RBT, and OT Salaries and Responsibilities

Wondering how these professions differ and what their pay range is? Here’s a chart for that! 

Starting PayAverage SalaryDistinct Duties
BCBA$47,500/year$89,075/year● Observe and evaluation of behavioral challenges
● Diagnose autism spectrum, developmental disabilities, or behavioral issues
● Create personalized treatment and management plans 
● Collaborate with other professionals, such as Applied Behavior Analysts and other RBTs
SLP$56,370/year $84,140/year ● Evaluate the client’s levels of speech, language, and/or swallowing issues 
● Suggest, develop, and implement management plans for clients’ functional needs
● Provide counseling to clients and their families 
RBT$36,075/year $40,950/year ● Implement behavior reduction treatments and skill acquisition activities
● Hold group and one-on-one therapy sessions
● Record client behavior, progress
● Perform clinical assessments
● Work with other healthcare professionals in client care
OT$63,320/year $93,180/year● Evaluate the patient through physical exam, observation and interview, and medical history
● Create and carry out an individualized treatment and management plan
● Demonstrate appropriate physical exercises

Making the Right Choice in One of These Occupations

Making the Right Choice in One of These Occupations - Image

From the discussions and comparison above, you should be able to choose the right occupation! But if you’re still unsure, you can use the following guide to make your choice. 

Additional Resources:

We’re certain of one thing—your search for more information on picking the best graduate degree or school landed you here. Let our experts help guide your through the decision making process with thoughtful content written by experts.