BCBA vs SLP vs RBT vs OT: Career ROI

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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:
- Board-certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)
- Speech-language Pathologist (SLP)
- Registered Behavior Technician (RBT)
- Occupational Therapist (OT)
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.
Overview of BCBA, SLP, RBT, and OT Programs and Careers
What Is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst?

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:
- Possess a graduate degree in behavior analysis, psychology, or education, among other relevant fields.
- Submit proof of completion of relevant courses.
- Complete the required supervised experience – 750 hours of supervised intensive practicum or 1,000 hours of supervised practicum or 1,500 hours of supervised independent fieldwork.
- Pass the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)-administered certification exam for BCBAs.
This Career is for You If:
- You want to make a positive difference in the lives of your clients and their families.
- You appreciate job security, rewarding salaries, and abundant opportunities for lifelong learning and career advancement.
- You want a balance between collaboration and autonomy in your daily work.
This Career is Not a Great Fit If:
- You don’t want to spend more than six years earning the BCBA credential.
- You can’t cope well with the physical and mental challenges that come with working with individuals with moderate to severe behavioral issues.
What Is a Speech-language Pathologist?

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:
- Earn a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, such as communication sciences or communication disorders, and a master’s degree in speech-language pathology from an accredited program. Complete the required supervised clinical experiences/clinical fellowships.
- Pass the Praxis Examination in Speech-Language Pathology.
- Secure a state license (Requirements vary depending on the state).
- Get certified by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
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:
- You enjoy working with people on addressing their language-related and swallowing issues.
- You possess good interpersonal skills, patience and perseverance, and adaptability.
- You like investigating and experimenting with therapies with others.
This Career is Not a Great Fit If:
- You have issues dealing with high-pressure environments.
- You don’t like dealing with temperamental clients.
- You like interacting with coworkers.
What Is a Registered Behavior Technician?

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:
- Complete 40 hours of approved behavior therapy training
- Complete a BCBA-led initial competency evaluation
- Pass the BACB-administered RBT certification exam
- Secure a state license, if it’s required in your state of residence/practice
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:
- You like helping others.
- You want to enter the ABA field sooner.
- You love the challenge of different backgrounds and environments.
This Career is Not a Great Fit If:
- You’re vulnerable to stress, pressure, and burnout.
- You want greater independence at work.
What Is an Occupational Therapist?

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:
- Earn a Master’s in Occupational Therapy from an accredited program.
- Pass the National Board for Certification of Occupational Therapists certification exam.
- Secure a state license.
OTs can also choose a specialization and earn the appropriate specialty certifications.
This Career is for You If:
- You like having a positive impact on other people’s lives.
- You love the challenge of finding solutions for people’s physical difficulties.
This Career is Not a Great Fit If:
- You don’t want to study for another 3-4 years after college.
- You don’t want a high risk of infections or physically demanding tasks.

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 Pay | Average Salary | Distinct 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

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.
- Consider your personal interests and passions first.
- If you’re more interested in helping individuals with behavioral and/or development challenges, such as children and adults with autism, then becoming either an RBT or BCBA makes sense.
- Establish your personal values and ensure that your chosen occupation aligns with them.
- Think about the number of years that you can spend on earning the appropriate professional credentials.
- If you’re willing to devote 6-9 years to academics and professional training, then becoming a BCBA, or an SLP or an OT may be for you. If not, you can start your career by pursuing the RBT credential and build from it.
- Consider the work environments you want to be in. You must also think about the working hours.
- Look into the average salaries, job outlook, and career advancement opportunities and compare them.
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