Revealed: How Much BCBAs Make Per Year (State-by-State Data)
Want to know a BCBA’s yearly income? Board Certified Behavior Analysts make between $72,450 and $85,571 per year on average nationwide. Your location can affect your earning potential by a lot.
BCBAs in New York earn the highest average salary at $101,642 per year. California comes in second with average earnings of $95,115. New Jersey and Wisconsin also pay well, with average salaries reaching $95,532 and $94,521. Some unexpected places offer great pay too. Take Atkinson, Nebraska, where BCBAs can earn up to $97,531 yearly.
This detailed guide shows you BCBA salaries based on experience and location. You’ll find what drives pay rates, from starting salaries to top-paying areas. This state-by-state breakdown will help you spot the best opportunities, whether you’re new to the field or a seasoned professional looking to boost your income.
Average BCBA Salary in the U.S. (2024 Data)
Board Certified Behavior Analysts earn competitive salaries in the United States. This career path rewards professionals who have the right qualifications.
National average salary range for BCBAs
BCBA salaries vary based on different sources. ZipRecruiter data from October 2025 shows BCBAs earn approximately $89,075 annually. Other reliable sources show different numbers – Indeed lists $84,609, while Payscale shows $69,788.
The middle 50% of BCBAs earn between $70,000 and $89,500 each year. Top performers in the 90th percentile can make $120,000 to $132,500. Entry-level positions or those in the 10th percentile typically pay around $56,135.
Your location, experience, and work setting play a big role in determining these numbers. These factors can change your salary by a lot.
How average BCBA salary compares to other behavioral roles
BCBAs earn more than other behavioral health professionals. Getting advanced certification pays off. Clinical Directors with BCBA certification earn even better, with yearly salaries around $86,513. These differences in pay reflect each role’s education requirements and responsibilities.
Hourly, weekly, and monthly breakdowns
Here’s what BCBAs earn in different time periods:
- Hourly: BCBAs earn approximately $36.43 to $42.82 per hour
- Weekly: $1,457 to $1,712 per week
- Monthly: $6,315 to $7,422 per month
Independent BCBAs often charge up to $100 per hour, especially for specialized or in-home services.
Starting your own practice can boost your earnings even more. You’ll also get more flexibility and independence compared to working for someone else.
Your BCBA salary grows with your expertise, specialization, and professional reputation. The field shows strong growth projections, and BCBAs can expect steady work in clinical settings, schools, and private practice.
BCBA Salary by Experience Level
Experience plays a key role in a BCBA’s annual earnings. BCBAs earn more as they advance in their careers and take on greater responsibilities.
Entry level BCBA salary: 0-2 years
New BCBAs earn between $55,000 and $65,000 annually. Some sources show higher ranges from $60,000 to $75,000 for entry-level positions. These professionals spend their first years delivering direct client services and implementing programs while collecting data. Senior BCBAs often mentor them as they develop their clinical skills and build their professional base.
Mid-career salary: 3-5 years
The salary range jumps to $70,000-$85,000 for BCBAs with 3-5 years of experience. These professionals start supervising RBTs, perform independent assessments, and develop specialized skills. Their value grows as they train staff members and handle more complex cases.
Senior-level salary: 6+ years
BCBAs with six or more years of experience command higher pay rates. These experienced professionals earn between $90,000 and $100,000+ annually. Leadership roles or specialized expertise can push earnings to $135,000 or above. Senior BCBAs lead treatment teams, create programs, maintain quality standards, and tackle complex clinical issues. Experts in leadership positions with 10+ years of experience often earn $100,000 to $150,000+.
Impact of advanced degrees on salary
Higher education leads to better pay for BCBAs:
- Master’s Degree (minimum requirement): Base BCBA salary
- Post-Master’s Certificate: 3-7% salary increase
- Doctoral Degree (BCBA-D): 10-20% salary premium
BCBAs with doctoral degrees earn $5,000 to $15,000 more per year than those with master’s degrees. Special certifications in autism-specific care or trauma-informed approaches can add $2,000 to $8,000 to yearly earnings. These education-based increases show why professional development matters throughout a BCBA’s career.
State-by-State BCBA Salary Breakdown
Where BCBAs work plays a huge role in their pay across the United States. Each state sets its own salary ranges based on several economic factors.
Top 10 highest paying states for BCBAs
BCBAs looking to maximize their earnings should think over these top-paying states:
- New Jersey: $98,707
- Wisconsin: $96,396
- Alaska: $95,929-$99,394
- Massachusetts: $93,884-$97,281
- California: $90,556-$95,115
- Washington: $93,576-$100,886
- New York: $88,353-$101,642
- Minnesota: $91,547
- Hawaii: $91,472-$94,601
- Oregon: $89,993-$94,178
These numbers show how much these regions value BCBAs, paired with their higher living costs.
Lowest paying states and why
Some states pay BCBAs less than others:
- Mississippi: $57,218-$65,691
- South Dakota: $60,000-$78,000
- Montana: $62,000-$80,000
- Arkansas: $63,000-$82,000
- Florida: $56,853-$66,565
Lower salaries in these states come from cheaper living costs, lower insurance payments, and fewer ABA service requests.
Regional trends: Northeast vs South vs West
BCBA pay shows clear patterns by region:
Northeast: Big cities pay top dollar—New York City ($95,000-$125,000) and Boston ($90,000-$118,000). Rural Northeast areas bring in $70,000-$90,000.
South: The DC metro area leads the pack ($90,000-$115,000). Atlanta ($80,000-$100,000) and Texas cities ($75,000-$95,000) come next. Rural areas pay much less ($60,000-$80,000).
West Coast: San Francisco/Bay Area tops the charts ($100,000-$135,000). Los Angeles ($95,000-$125,000) and Seattle ($90,000-$115,000) follow close behind.
Cost of living adjustments by state
Raw salary numbers can be tricky without context. A BCBA making $90,000 in Dallas lives just as well as someone earning $145,000 in San Francisco.
States with pricier living costs naturally offer bigger paychecks. This explains why California and New York lead many salary rankings, even though daily expenses are nowhere near what you’d pay in Tennessee or New Mexico.
Future Outlook and Salary Growth Trends
The job scene for BCBAs shows amazing room for growth. This profession ranks among the fastest growing careers in behavioral health.
Projected job growth for BCBAs through 2030
BCBA jobs have taken off recently. Job postings jumped an incredible 58% from 2023 to 2024 alone. The future looks bright too. Experts predict growth rates between 8% and 22% through 2030. These numbers are a big deal as it means that growth far exceeds other careers. The trend isn’t new – BCBA jobs grew by 5,852% between 2010 and 2021.
How demand is driving salary increases
This remarkable job growth means better pay for BCBAs. Salaries should climb about 12% in the next five years. The average BCBA salary could jump from $78,853 to $88,573 by 2030. Several factors drive these higher salaries. Rising autism rates now affect 1 in 36 children. Insurance companies also cover more ABA services now.
Emerging high-paying roles in behavior analysis
The field offers several paths to premium pay. Behavioral health directors and other clinical leaders can earn over $100,000 yearly. The ABA market should hit nearly $6 billion by 2033. This growth creates new opportunities in different areas. Substance abuse treatment stands out as the fastest-growing specialty. It should grow 18% through 2032. Telehealth services open up new career paths with competitive pay packages.
Location plays a key role in your career growth. California remains the hottest market. It made up 19% of all BCBA job postings in 2024.
Next Steps
This detailed salary breakdown shows what Board Certified Behavior Analysts earn across the United States. BCBAs make between $72,450 and $89,075 per year on average. These numbers change by a lot based on several key factors.
Your experience as a BCBA directly affects your pay. New professionals start at $55,000-$65,000, while those with more than 6 years of experience earn over $90,000. Your education level also affects your earning potential. BCBAs with doctoral degrees earn 10-20% more than those with master’s degrees.
Location plays the biggest role in determining your salary. States like New Jersey, Wisconsin, and Alaska pay the highest rates, with yearly salaries near or above $95,000. On the flip side, Mississippi, South Dakota, and Florida offer lower pay packages. The cost of living makes a big difference too. A $90,000 salary in Dallas would need to be $145,000 in San Francisco to maintain the same lifestyle.
The field looks bright for BCBAs. Job growth estimates through 2030 range from 8-22%, which is much higher than average job growth rates. This growing need for BCBAs will likely push salaries up, with predictions showing a 12% increase in pay over the next five years.
This field gives you a chance to earn well while helping others. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting your BCBA career or you’re an experienced professional looking to boost your income. Understanding these salary factors helps you plan your career better. As more people need behavior analysts, BCBAs can expect good pay and job satisfaction in the coming years.