BCBA pay centers on a median of $46/hr, with most reports between $42 and $56. The range runs from about $10 at the low end to $85+ for the top tenth of earners. These figures come from 5,993 BCBA pay reports nationwide. Filter by state and setting below to see local numbers.
State is the biggest factor. BCBA pay in high-cost states runs well above the national median, while rural markets sit below it. Setting matters too: center-based, in-home, school, and telehealth roles each pay differently. Experience, certification, and whether the job is W-2 or 1099 move the number further. The filters above break the data down along each of these.
These numbers come from two places: pay reports that working BCBAs submit directly, and compensation pulled from verified ABA job listings. We aggregate at the role and state level and show a count next to every figure so you can judge the sample yourself. Clinic-level pay stays private until at least three people report from the same workplace.
Many BCBAs are salaried rather than hourly. Where a role quotes an annual salary, we convert it to an hourly equivalent so it lines up with the rest of the data. An $85,000 salary works out to roughly $41/hr across a 40-hour week, though BCBA weeks often run longer, which quietly lowers the real rate.
Two BCBA offers at the same number can be very different jobs. Before you compare rates, ask how many RBTs you would supervise, what the billable-hour target is, and whether there is admin support for assessments and reports. A manageable caseload at a slightly lower rate often beats a bigger number stretched across too many clients.
Some BCBAs weigh going independent as a 1099 contractor or opening a small practice. The headline rate looks higher, though overhead, self-employment tax, unpaid admin time, and caseload swings change the math. We do not have enough verified independent-BCBA reports yet to publish a clean comparison, so treat solo rates you see elsewhere with caution.
The median BCBA earns $46/hr nationwide. Most fall between $42 and $56, and the top tenth clears $85/hr.
Right now Delaware posts the highest average BCBA pay in our data, at $78/hr. State rankings shift as more people report, so check the by-state table above for the current picture.
Most BCBAs are paid hourly. We show every figure as an hourly rate so roles and clinics compare cleanly; salaried positions are converted to an hourly equivalent.
Every number combines pay that working BCBAs report directly with compensation pulled from verified ABA job listings. We show the sample size next to each figure so you can judge it yourself.
Yes. Submissions are anonymous, and we never tie a report back to you, including for the clinic you review.