ABA Therapist Salary 2025-26: With the help of behaviour analysis principles, an ABA (Applied Behaviour Analysis) worker creates and carries out treatment plans that assist people with developmental disabilities, behavioural disorders, or other difficulties in improving their behaviours and skills.
Read more about the requirements to become an ABA therapist.
To work as an ABA therapist full-time typically earns around $20 an hour, or $42,000 per year.
- Average hourly rate: $16.01 for less than a year of experience
- Average hourly rate: $17.92 for 1-4 years of experience
- Average hourly wage: $20.09 for 5–9 years of experience
- Average hourly wage: $22.08 for 10–19 years of experience
Which States Pay ABA Therapist the Most?
- California – $62,712
- Massachusetts – $59,281
- New York – $55,215
- New Jersey – $54,828
- Connecticut – $53,993
Which Cities Have the Highest ABA Therapist Salaries?
- San Francisco, CA – $83,255
- New York, NY – $62,011
- Los Angeles, CA – $57,623
- Boston, MA – $55,595
- Washington, DC – $54,960
How Does an ABA Therapist Salary Compare to Other Similar Roles?
The BACB has compiled the following salary data for ABA therapists, broken down by certification level:
Annual salary: $33,000 for a Registered Behaviour Technician (RBT).
Pays $45,000 to become a Board Certified Assistant Behaviour Analyst (BCaBA).
The salary for a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst (BCBA) is $100,000.
The salary for a Board Certified Behaviour Analyst-Doctoral (BCBA-D) is $85,000.
Types Of ABA Therapist Jobs
Here are a few different ABA therapy jobs:
- Educational therapist
- Behavioural therapist
- Assistant behaviour analyst (BCaBA)
- Behaviour analyst (BCBA)
- Behaviour analyst-doctoral (BCBA-D)
Can I make 6 figures as a BCBA?
Yes, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) can earn a six-figure salary, especially in high-demand areas, private practice, or specialized roles like clinical directors, with salaries potentially exceeding $100,000 annually.
What is the Highest Paid Behavioral Analyst?
The highest-paid Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) can earn up to $160,000 annually, particularly in specialized roles like clinical directors or private practice in high-demand states like New Jersey or California.