As the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) continues to grow, demand for ABA therapists with the right credentials is also on the rise. ABA therapists play a crucial role in helping individuals with behavioral disorders and developmental disabilities lead more fulfilling lives.
With this responsibility comes the expectation of having the necessary qualifications and expertise to provide effective therapy. In today’s competitive job market, having the right credentials enhances an ABA therapist’s reputation and leads to higher salaries and better job opportunities.
Here are the figures on the average salary of ABA therapists in the USA as of 2023.
- $55,500 per year
- $3,900 per month
- $23.86 per hour
Of the average annual wage figure stated above, ABA therapists receive around $42,000 as their base salary per year, while the rest can be attributed to bonuses and profit sharing, among other additional pay.
The annual wage of more than 30,000 ABA therapists across the country as of October 2023 ranges from $38,600 to $80,000, which calculates to a relatively narrow gap of only $41,400. This disparity indicates that the employee compensation scale within the ABA therapy sector is somewhat consistent and standardized.
Additional Resources:
- The Best Online Master’s of Occupational Behavior and Development Graduate Schools
- The Best Online Doctor of Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) Degrees
- The Best Doctor of Behavioral Health (DBH) Degrees
How Much ABA Therapists Earn Based on Experience and Position
As ABA therapists further their careers with experience, their income capacity also increases. Below is their potential average annual wage based on years of experience.
- Less than one year – $50,000 per year
- 1 to 3 years – $52,000 per year
- 4 to 6 years – $55,000 per year
- 7 to 9 years – $56,000 per year
- 10 to 14 years – $59,000 per year
- More than 15 years – $67,000 per year
The salaries of various positions across the ABA therapist career path are the following:
- Behavior Therapist – $55,000 per year on average
- Senior Behavior Therapist – $72,000 per year on average
- Lead Behavior Therapist – $67,000 per year on average
- Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) – $55,000 per year on average
- Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) – $71,000 per year on average
High-Paying States for ABA Therapists
ABA therapists earn much more than the national average in the following US states:
- Kentucky, 32% more than the national average
- New York, 28% more than the national average
- New Jersey, 22% more
- Massachusetts, 6% more
If you’re an ABA therapist in the following states, however, you might want to consider relocating because salaries are more than 25% lower than the national average:
- Wisconsin
- New Mexico
- South Carolina
- Louisiana
- Nevada
Some of the top cities where ABA therapists receive higher compensation are the following:
- New York, NY – $109,100 per year
- Bronx, NY – $82,800 per year
- Brooklyn, NY – $76,700 per year
- Jersey City, NJ – $63,500 per year
- Boston, MA – $60,600 per year
- San Jose, CA – $57,900 per year
- Sacramento, CA – $52,900 per year
- Santa Clara, CA – $52,900
- Fremont, CA – $52,700
- San Francisco, CA – $52,700
- Daly City, CA – $52,700
- Phoenix, AZ – $51,500 per year
- Oakland, CA – $51,400
- Berkeley, CA – $51,400
- Hayward, CA – $51,300
- Philadelphia, PA – $51,000 per year
How ABA Therapist Salaries Compare to Similar or Alternative Careers
According to the country’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average annual salary of ABA therapists is at par with the $55,760 annual mean wage for all workers under the Community and Social Service Occupations category. These include the following related jobs or alternative careers for ABA therapists:
- Mental Health and Behavioral Disorders Counselors – $56,230 per year or $27.03 per hour
- Educational and Career Advisors/Counselors – $64,200 per year or $30.87 per hour
- Rehabilitation Counselors – $46,020 per year or $22.13 per hour
- School, Family, and Child Social Workers – $56,680 per year or $27.25 per hour
- Mental Health Social Workers – $60,130 per year or $28.91 per hour
- Correctional Treatment Specialists – $64,920 per year or $31.21
On the other hand, the average salary of ABA therapists falls way below the $96,770 annual mean wage for all workers under the Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations category. These jobs include:
- Occupational Therapists – $92,800 per year or $44.61 per hour
- Recreational Therapists – $56,310 per year or $27.07 per hour
- Speech-Language Pathologists – $89,460 per year or $43.01 per hour
What fringe benefits can ABA therapists receive from their employers?
For most people, the base salary (and cash bonuses) may not be enough to determine which company they’ll want to work for. Fringe benefits, also referred to as perks, also play an essential role in their final decision. This is also true for many ABA therapists.
According to Indeed, one of the world’s popular job sites, ABA therapists are generally offered the following fringe benefits on top of their salaries:
- 401(k) Workplace Retirement Plan
- Health, Dental and Vision Insurance
- Life and Disability Insurance
- Paid sick time and time off
- Flexible schedule
Employers also provide a variety of perks that help in enhancing the careers of their ABA therapists. These professional development benefits, according to Indeed, commonly include the following:
- Paid training
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Opportunities for professional advancement
These perks are essential when choosing where to work because they offer a variety of benefits, including:
- Enhanced wellness and health
- Long-term financial stability
- Job satisfaction
- Cost-saving professional development opportunities
- Reduction of stress
- Enhanced work-life balance
How ABA Therapist Earn More
If you’re an ABA therapist or currently considering being an ABA therapist, there are many ways to boost your potential to earn higher than the average professional.
Advance your education.
Consider furthering your education to advance your ABA therapist career, even if entry-level assistant positions may only need an undergraduate degree.
Graduate-level degrees, such as Master’s and Doctorate, open doors to career advancements, as well as other prestigious careers like University Professors, School District Counselors, Clinical Supervisors, and Program Coordinators.
Obtain certifications and licensure.
The Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) may not be a mandatory certification in all states. However, almost every employer across the country recognizes this graduate-level certification offered by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board and prefers certified ABA therapists.
Clients also value ABA therapists with such certification, as it reflects the professionals’ credibility and commitment to industry and ethical standards.
Gain relevant experiences.
From the moment you choose the ABA therapist career path, always be on the lookout for learning and training opportunities that will provide you with a solid foundation of behavior analysis concepts and relevant hands-on experiences beyond the classroom settings.
These include attending degree programs with capstone requirements and internships in the curriculum.
The college or university you’re enrolled in may also offer mentorship and research opportunities as well as field trips and immersions. After completing your degree program, don’t hesitate to apply for entry-level positions in the ABA field to jumpstart your career in the real world.
However, don’t get stuck in the lowest position for long, and make sure to aim for higher positions when opportunities arise.
Consider specializing in a niche area.
The ABA therapy field covers a wide range of areas, not just matters involving autism spectrum disorders. Explore the possibility of focusing on a particular age group or other specific developmental disorders, such as special education or speech and language therapy, to establish yourself as an authority or expert in such a niche and potentially open doors to unique, higher-paying opportunities.
Explore employment opportunities in various settings.
If you’re not aware by now, being an ABA therapist isn’t just limited to clinical settings. There are opportunities for you in various non-clinical settings such as schools, community centers, sports facilities, and even in the industries of economics, politics, entertainment, and technology development.
Depending on the environment or the industry, there will be differences in terms of salary range, compensation packages, and career advancement opportunities.
Seek employment in high-paying companies or larger organizations.
Large hospitals, universities, and government agencies often provide higher compensation packages than community clinics and small private practices. If you want to boost your income capacity as an ABA therapist, make sure to keep an eye on the industry for your next potential employers.
According to Indeed, the following are some of the top US-based companies for ABA therapists:
- Every Piece Counts – $60,100 per year on average
- Achievement Behavior Care – $64,000 per year on average
- Therapy Associates ABA Services – $69,600 per year on average
Think about working in high-demand and high-paying locations.
If relocating is not an issue, consider working in locations where ABA therapists can earn much more than the national average. These include cities like New York, Bronx, and Brooklyn, as well as states like Wisconsin, New Mexico, and South Carolina. These areas are typically where there’s a shortage of qualified ABA therapists or where the cost of living is at a high level.
Bottom Line
The average annual salary for ABA therapists in the country is $55,500 annually. Several factors determine the professionals’ compensation package, including their years of experience, job positions, and employment locations.
However, the final decision regarding the company you’ll work for is not just based on the salary offered but also on the fringe benefits, as well.
While understanding these salary and compensation details for ABA therapists across the country, you can have realistic expectations for your career and possibly be able to negotiate your salary based on your qualifications and experience effectively.
