Registered behavior technician salary: how much does an RBT make?
A registered behavior technician (RBT) earns a median of $20.67 an hour, about $42,986 a year full time, based on 1,945 job postings that listed pay (updated August 2026). Most advertised RBT pay falls between $15 and $28 an hour.
RBT salary by state
Median advertised hourly pay by state, ABA Digital Marketing, August 2026. States with too few postings are left out; small samples can swing month to month.
| State | Median per hour |
|---|---|
| Nevada | $27.00 (≈ $56,160) |
| District of Columbia | $26.00 (≈ $54,080) |
| Washington | $26.00 (≈ $54,080) |
| Alaska | $25.00 (≈ $52,000) |
| New Jersey | $25.00 (≈ $52,000) |
| Delaware | $24.91 (≈ $51,813) |
| California | $24.50 (≈ $50,960) |
| Massachusetts | $24.50 (≈ $50,960) |
| New York | $24.00 (≈ $49,920) |
| Maryland | $23.00 (≈ $47,840) |
| Kansas | $22.50 (≈ $46,800) |
| Connecticut | $22.44 (≈ $46,675) |
| New Hampshire | $22.44 (≈ $46,675) |
| Rhode Island | $22.38 (≈ $46,550) |
| Colorado | $22.25 (≈ $46,280) |
| Georgia | $22.00 (≈ $45,760) |
| Hawaii | $22.00 (≈ $45,760) |
| South Carolina | $22.00 (≈ $45,760) |
| South Dakota | $22.00 (≈ $45,760) |
| Virginia | $22.00 (≈ $45,760) |
| Arkansas | $21.50 (≈ $44,720) |
| Nebraska | $21.50 (≈ $44,720) |
| Oregon | $21.50 (≈ $44,720) |
| Texas | $21.50 (≈ $44,720) |
| Indiana | $21.00 (≈ $43,680) |
| Utah | $21.00 (≈ $43,680) |
| Missouri | $20.67 (≈ $42,994) |
| Pennsylvania | $20.50 (≈ $42,640) |
| Florida | $20.00 (≈ $41,600) |
| North Carolina | $20.00 (≈ $41,600) |
| Illinois | $19.93 (≈ $41,454) |
| New Mexico | $19.50 (≈ $40,560) |
| Ohio | $19.50 (≈ $40,560) |
| Minnesota | $19.47 (≈ $40,498) |
| Tennessee | $19.25 (≈ $40,040) |
| Iowa | $19.00 (≈ $39,520) |
| Idaho | $18.67 (≈ $38,834) |
| Michigan | $18.50 (≈ $38,480) |
| Kentucky | $18.40 (≈ $38,272) |
| Wisconsin | $18.38 (≈ $38,230) |
| Alabama | $18.15 (≈ $37,752) |
| Arizona | $18.00 (≈ $37,440) |
| Oklahoma | $17.93 (≈ $37,294) |
| Louisiana | $17.00 (≈ $35,360) |
RBT pay range
Annualized at 2,080 hours, advertised RBT pay runs from about $20,800 to $69,680. ZipRecruiter's average (March 2026) is about $42,700 to $47,000 a year, close to the posting median. Many RBT jobs are part time or paid per session, so annual earnings are often lower than the full-time figure.
RBT salary vs. BCBA and related jobs
RBTs work under the supervision of a BCBA, whose median advertised salary is $94,000. For comparison, BLS May 2025 medians: nursing assistants $42,260, medical assistants $45,690, and mental health counselors $59,350.
RBT salary
Pay usually rises with experience, bilingual skills and moving into a senior or lead technician role. Becoming a BCaBA or BCBA, which needs a bachelor's or master's degree and supervised fieldwork, is the main path to a big raise.
Registered Behavior Technician 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 an RBT make an hour?
A median of $20.67 an hour in 2026 job postings; most offers are between $15 and $28.
How much does a registered behavior technician make a year?
About $42,986 at the median if full time (2,080 hours); part-time schedules earn less.
Which state pays RBTs the most?
Nevada ($27.00), DC ($26.00) and Washington ($26.00) had the highest median posted pay in August 2026.
Does BLS publish RBT salaries?
No. BLS has no occupation for behavior technicians, so job-posting data is the best available guide.
How can an RBT earn more?
Gain experience, take lead technician roles, or become a BCaBA or BCBA.
Sources
- ABA Digital Marketing: RBT salary by state (August 2026)
- MyABAJobs: ABA salary guide (April 2026)
- BACB: Registered Behavior Technician credential
Related
Last reviewed November 5, 2026. Job-posting pay is what employers advertise, not what workers report earning; it is refreshed monthly by the source. Figures are gross pay before taxes and benefits. General information, not career or financial advice.