BCBA salary: how much does a board certified behavior analyst make?
A board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) earns a median of $94,000 a year, about $45.19 an hour, based on 767 job postings that listed pay (updated August 2026). ZipRecruiter's national average is about $89,075.
BCBA salary by state
Median advertised salary by state, ABA Digital Marketing, August 2026. States with too few postings are left out.
| State | Median per year |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $110,000 |
| Kentucky | $106,200 |
| Arizona | $105,000 |
| Washington | $103,625 |
| Georgia | $102,000 |
| Oklahoma | $101,000 |
| New Mexico | $100,000 |
| South Carolina | $100,000 |
| South Dakota | $100,000 |
| North Carolina | $98,875 |
| New Jersey | $98,800 |
| Kansas | $98,750 |
| Maryland | $97,500 |
| Virginia | $97,500 |
| Ohio | $96,250 |
| Massachusetts | $96,000 |
| Minnesota | $95,420 |
| California | $95,000 |
| Nebraska | $95,000 |
| New York | $93,750 |
| Tennessee | $92,750 |
| Colorado | $92,500 |
| Louisiana | $91,000 |
| Florida | $90,250 |
| Indiana | $90,031 |
| Iowa | $90,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $90,000 |
| Illinois | $89,500 |
| Michigan | $89,000 |
| Arkansas | $88,750 |
| Texas | $88,000 |
| Connecticut | $87,500 |
| Missouri | $87,500 |
| Oregon | $86,250 |
| Hawaii | $85,148 |
| Utah | $85,000 |
| Alabama | $82,150 |
| Wisconsin | $81,000 |
| New Hampshire | $80,000 |
| Wyoming | $80,000 |
| Delaware | $62,500 |
BCBA pay range
ZipRecruiter (March 2026): 25th percentile about $74,000, 75th about $90,500, 90th about $132,500. Advertised BCBA salaries in the posting data ranged from $45,035 to $156,000. Clinical directors and BCBA-Ds (doctoral) are usually at the top of the range.
BCBA salary vs. related jobs
BLS May 2025 figures for related licensed mental health jobs (BLS has no behavior analyst category):
| Job (BLS May 2025) | Bottom 10% | Median | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical and counseling psychologists | $55,170 | $100,580 | $180,960 |
| Marriage and family therapists | $44,650 | $66,940 | $123,730 |
| Mental health counselors | $38,940 | $59,350 | $97,590 |
BCBA take-home pay by state (2026)
2026 federal brackets and standard deduction, Social Security 6.2% up to $184,500, Medicare 1.45% plus 0.9% above $200,000 ($250,000 joint), and each state's 2026 income tax. Local income taxes, state disability or paid-leave payroll taxes and other deductions are not included. Estimate only, not tax advice.
Common questions
How much does a BCBA make?
A median of $94,000 a year in 2026 job postings; ZipRecruiter's average is about $89,075.
How much does a BCBA make an hour?
About $45.19 an hour at 2,080 hours; some BCBAs are paid per billable hour instead.
Which state pays BCBAs the most?
DC ($110,000), Kentucky ($106,200) and Arizona ($105,000) had the highest median posted salaries in August 2026.
How much more does a BCBA make than an RBT?
About $94,000 versus about $43,000 a year at full time, more than double.
Does BLS publish BCBA salaries?
No. BLS has no occupation for behavior analysts, so salary sites and job postings are the best guide.
Sources
- ABA Digital Marketing: BCBA salary by state (August 2026)
- MyABAJobs: ABA salary guide (April 2026)
- BACB: Board Certified Behavior Analyst credential
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Job-posting pay is what employers advertise; it is refreshed monthly by the source. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.