ABA (Behavioral) Therapist: Salary & Job Description
Read how applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapists use their knowledge of the ways environmental factors impact behavior to help patients overcome behavioral issues. Discover how much applied behavior analysis therapists make, their job responsibilities, and how to become an ABA therapist.
ABA Therapist Job Description
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapists, more commonly referred to as behavioral health technicians, use their knowledge of how environmental factors impact behavior to help patients overcome behavioral issues and to improve the lives of individuals living with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. They may work with children or adults, and they primarily focus on promoting the implementation of skills regarding hygiene, communication, and social cues. The following chart will provide you with an overview of general ABA therapist requirements.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Degree Required</b></td><td>Associate's, bachelor's or master's preferred</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Education Field of Study</b></td><td>Psychology, special education or ABA-specific courses</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Training Required</b></td><td>Field experience, ABA-specific course-work</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Licensure Required</b></td><td>Behavior Analyst Certification Board certification, based on level of education and field experience</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Key Responsibilities</b></td><td>Writing behavior support plans, collecting data and conducting functional assessments, communicating with teachers, parents, family members and caregivers, working with clients one-on-one or in a group in a home or center setting</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Median Salary (2019)</b></td><td>$34,602*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *PayScale</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreTheJobResponsibilitiesOfAnABATherapist">What Are the Job Responsibilities of an ABA Therapist?</h3><p>As an ABA therapist, you'll provide behavior support to improve the lives of individuals living with intellectual or developmental disabilities, such as Autism Spectrum Disorder. Your daily responsibilities may include writing behavior support plans, collecting data and conducting functional assessments. You can work with patients one-on-one and in groups, providing instruction and conducting discrete trials. Documenting and reviewing progress through charting and staff communication are an important part of an ABA therapist's work.
</p><p>You look for ways to incorporate behavior treatment into every aspect of the client's life. Communicating with teachers, parents, family members and caregivers is part of your responsibility, because getting their observations on the effectiveness of behavior treatment can help you figure out which approaches work best. Many ABA therapists train other staff members and caregivers to implement behavioral programs in the classroom and at home.
</p><h3 id="section---WhereCouldIWork">Where Could I Work?</h3><p>Educational foundations, school systems and other programs serving patients with behavioral training and conditioning needs may employ ABA therapists. Individual families may also contract with an ABA therapist to work with their child or other family member at home.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreABATherapistQualifications">What are ABA Therapist Qualifications?</h3><p>Entry-level ABA therapist careers will require an associate's degree in a field like psychology or special education. In order to advance or to become a supervisory therapist, you generally need a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. ABA therapist education at the graduate level is available through master's degree programs specifically in ABA.
</p><p>The Behavior Analyst Certification Board offers national certification for ABA therapists. Certification is available at different levels for therapists with bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. You need to have completed your education at an approved school and have taken coursework specific to ABA. You also need some field experience for each level of certification.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatIsAnABATherapistSSalary">What is an ABA Therapist's Salary?</h3><p>Entry payrate and pay increases are dependent on training, certification and level of education. An ABA therapist with a master's salary may thus be potentially higher (due to the likelihood of obtaining higher-level roles) than that of an ABA therapist with an associate's or bachelor's degree. As of May 2019, <i>PayScale</i> reported that the majority of ABA therapists earned an hourly pay rate starting at $12.11 up to $23.20, not including overtime. The median hourly rate was $16.19. Their annual total pay was between $25,184 and $49,915. ABA therapists may be eligible for bonuses up to $3,000.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatAreSomeABATherapistCareerAlternatives">What Are Some ABA Therapist Career Alternatives?</h3><p>Nearly every similar career choice requires a higher level of education than an associate's degree program, such as becoming a <a href="https://learn.org/articles/What_Does_a_Substance_Abuse_Counselor_Do.html">substance abuse counselor</a>. These counselors are responsible for giving support to patients who are recovering from addictive behaviors, which is done by consistent evaluation, while helping the patients develop healthier habits to recover from their addiction. You could also become a registered nurse first assistant, which requires a bachelor's degree and entails giving care to patients, taking and observing their vitals, and being a means of communication to them and their family regarding the status of their health. Although the entry-level education is a high school diploma, becoming a social and human service assistant may be a viable alternative for you. These assistants usually give referrals to those in need of psychological help or rehabilitation.</p>