Career Insight: How Much Does A Registered Behavior Technician Make?


UTSA Professional and Continuing Education

What is a Registered Behavior Technician?

The Registered Behavior Technician® (RBT®) is a paraprofessional who practices under the close, ongoing supervision of a Board Certified Behavior Analyst® (BCBA®), Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral® (BCBA®-D), or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst® (BCaBA®), and is primarily responsible for the direct implementation of behavior-analytic services to people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD)1. Unlike most BCBA®s, RBT®s work consistently and directly with people on the autism spectrum. As an RBT®, you will implement a plan developed by an applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapist, monitor your clients’ progress, and create reports for your overseeing BCBA®. This helps the BCBA® adjust the treatment plan as necessary .

According to the Center for Disease Control’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, as of 2021, 1 in 44 children have been identified with ASD2. As the number of children and adults diagnosed with ASD continues to increase, so does the need for specially trained and credentialed professionals and caregivers in applied behavior analysis.

How Much Do RBTs Make?

Registered Behavior Technicians® are predicted to see a 12% to 17% job growth rate in the coming years, according to a report by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics3. As the need for behavioral analysts rises across the country, RBT®s are in greater demand. The average RBT® salary is $39,000 as of 2022, but this amount can vary based on several factors4. For example, if you have just received your certification, you are more likely to make on average $35,000 per year, as you have not built-up experience in the field. However, if you have worked as an RBT® for several years and are well established with your clients and overseeing ABA therapist, you can make up to $50,000 per year. The RBT® certification may also add a boost to your current pay if you are a teacher, healthcare worker, or daycare staff .

Start your path to certification with UTSA's 40-hour Registered Behavior Technician Training.

References

  • 1 Behavior Analyst Certification Board, 2022, BACB
  • 2 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2021, CDC
  • 3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020, BLS
  • 4 Talent.com, 2022, Talent.com
Author
Professional and Continuing Education Staff

As a continuing education incubator, Professional and Continuing Education (PaCE) delivers skills-focused, innovative programming that satisfies the fluid learning demands of life-long learners. The values of Innovation, Accessibility and Excellence are realized through a dedicated team of specialists with a combined 30 years of continuing education experience.