Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Impact: Behavioural development and quality of life through expert applied behaviour analysis

Apply the science of applied behaviour analysis to assess and treat behavioural challenges in individuals with autism, developmental disabilities, and other conditions. Develop behaviour intervention plans, train caregivers and educators, collect and analyse behavioural data, and supervise behaviour technicians.

What the day looks like

People interaction
Moderate
Team vs solo
60% Team / 40% Solo
Client facing
Sometimes
Impact visibility
Moderate
Travel
10 to 20% for home visits and school consultations
Schedule flexibility
Moderate
Remote work
Hybrid
Typical work hours
40 to 55 hours/week
Stress level
Low

At a glance

Median salary
$120,000
Entry-level
$65,000 - $90,000
Senior
$180,000+
Growth by 2033
22% (faster than average)
Demand
Growing
Freelance potential
Very Low
Salary growth potential
High - 65 to 80% growth from entry to senior
Typical student debt
Moderate

Skills you'll use

Hard skills

  • 70

Soft skills

  • 30

Technical complexity: Moderate

How to get there

Minimum education
Master's Degree
Licensing
No
Years to mid-career
2 to 4 years
Years to senior
5 to 8 years
Career switching
Hard

Where this career leads

How people arrive here

    Where you can go from here

      Typical progression

      1. Registered Behavior Technician > BCBA > Senior BCBA > Clinical Director > VP of Clinical Services

      Future outlook

      Automation probability
      10% very low risk as ABA requires human clinical judgment
      AI disruption risk
      Very Low
      Demand trend
      Growing

      How people feel about it

      Overall satisfaction
      7/10
      Meaning
      7/10
      Work-life balance
      6.5/10
      Prestige
      7/10
      Social perception
      High

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