Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Salary Overview
The average RBT salary in the United States is approximately $38,000 to $42,000 per year, or $18 to $21 per hour. That range shifts meaningfully based on state, years of experience, employer size, and local cost of living. If you are evaluating a career as an RBT or comparing offers, understanding what drives the variation in pay helps you make a more informed decision.
According to PayScale and Salary.com data, entry-level RBT hourly rates start around $16 per hour, with experienced RBTs earning $20 per hour or more. The demand for RBTs continues to grow as autism diagnosis rates increase. The CDC’s 2023 data puts ASD prevalence at 1 in 36 children in the U.S., up from 1 in 150 in 2000, and the resulting demand for ABA therapy services is the primary driver of RBT job growth.
RBT Salary by Experience Level
Your earning potential as an RBT increases with time on the job. Here’s how experience affects hourly rates:
| Years of Experience | RBT Hourly Rate |
|---|---|
| Less than 1 year | $16.21/hour |
| 1-4 years | $17.18/hour |
| 5-9 years | $18.11/hour |
| 10-19 years | $18.84/hour |
| 20+ years | $20.00/hour |
Several factors influence how much you’ll earn as an RBT, including your education, certifications, location, and local demand for ABA services. Specialized experience with specific populations (nonverbal children, severe challenging behaviors, or specific co-occurring conditions like ADHD or Down syndrome) also increases market value for experienced RBTs.
RBT Salary by State
Where you live has a significant impact on your RBT salary. Some states pay considerably more than others due to cost of living and demand for ABA therapy providers. The BACB reports more than 160,000 active RBT certifications in the U.S. as of 2024, with the fastest growth in states with strong insurance mandates and large insured populations.
| Rank | State | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | Job Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $54,222 | $26.07 | 91 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $45,739 | $21.99 | 355 |
| 3 | Montana | $48,478 | $23.31 | 106 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $44,348 | $21.32 | 912 |
| 5 | Maine | $40,338 | $19.39 | 146 |
| 6 | West Virginia | $41,284 | $19.85 | 146 |
| 7 | Illinois | $40,998 | $19.71 | 1,219 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $42,073 | $20.23 | 70 |
| 9 | Alaska | $39,710 | $19.09 | 119 |
| 10 | Vermont | $41,975 | $20.18 | 67 |
| 11 | New Jersey | $42,006 | $20.20 | 754 |
| 12 | Rhode Island | $40,474 | $19.46 | 101 |
| 13 | Iowa | $38,966 | $18.73 | 329 |
| 14 | California | $45,691 | $21.97 | 2,102 |
| 15 | New York | $42,320 | $20.35 | 1,021 |
| 16 | Maryland | $42,515 | $20.44 | 508 |
| 17 | Washington | $42,307 | $20.34 | 385 |
| 18 | Pennsylvania | $36,241 | $17.42 | 1,158 |
| 19 | Alabama | $35,552 | $17.09 | 462 |
| 20 | Oregon | $41,137 | $19.78 | 205 |
| 21 | Arizona | $35,949 | $17.28 | 720 |
| 22 | Wisconsin | $35,427 | $17.03 | 664 |
| 23 | Mississippi | $38,237 | $18.38 | 134 |
| 24 | Michigan | $36,607 | $17.60 | 623 |
| 25 | New Hampshire | $39,093 | $18.79 | 112 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $37,824 | $18.18 | 146 |
| 27 | Virginia | $39,421 | $18.95 | 735 |
| 28 | Florida | $36,020 | $17.32 | 1,628 |
| 29 | Indiana | $34,902 | $16.78 | 643 |
| 30 | South Dakota | $34,530 | $16.60 | 106 |
| 31 | Colorado | $36,311 | $17.46 | 560 |
| 32 | Minnesota | $37,652 | $18.10 | 450 |
| 33 | Delaware | $36,676 | $17.63 | 112 |
| 34 | Wyoming | $35,795 | $17.21 | 39 |
| 35 | Texas | $35,348 | $16.99 | 1,791 |
| 36 | District of Columbia | $40,868 | $19.65 | 74 |
| 37 | South Carolina | $35,326 | $16.98 | 364 |
| 38 | North Carolina | $35,730 | $17.18 | 713 |
| 39 | Ohio | $34,699 | $16.68 | 675 |
| 40 | Georgia | $34,718 | $16.69 | 966 |
| 41 | Arkansas | $30,812 | $14.81 | 306 |
| 42 | Tennessee | $32,320 | $15.54 | 553 |
| 43 | New Mexico | $34,378 | $16.53 | 141 |
| 44 | Utah | $31,055 | $14.93 | 297 |
| 45 | Kentucky | $32,764 | $15.75 | 266 |
| 46 | Missouri | $30,643 | $14.73 | 540 |
| 47 | Nevada | $32,670 | $15.71 | 136 |
| 48 | Kansas | $33,115 | $15.92 | 186 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $29,478 | $14.17 | 284 |
| 50 | Oklahoma | $30,051 | $14.45 | 197 |
| 51 | Idaho | $25,291 | $12.16 | 84 |
RBT Salaries in States Where Treetop Operates
If you are considering a career with Treetop ABA Therapy, here are the average RBT salaries in our service states:
- Arizona: $35,949/year ($17.28/hour)
- Colorado: $36,311/year ($17.46/hour)
- Georgia: $34,718/year ($16.69/hour)
- North Carolina: $35,730/year ($17.18/hour)
- Oklahoma: $30,051/year ($14.45/hour)
- Utah: $31,055/year ($14.93/hour)
- Virginia: $39,421/year ($18.95/hour)
Highest Paying Cities for RBTs
| Rank | City | Average Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $54,234 | $26.07 |
| 2 | Campbell, CA | $46,546 | $22.38 |
| 3 | Worcester, MA | $44,464 | $21.38 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $42,536 | $20.45 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $42,350 | $20.36 |
| 6 | Lakewood, WA | $42,347 | $20.36 |
| 7 | Lakewood, NJ | $42,115 | $20.25 |
| 8 | Chicago, IL | $41,072 | $19.75 |
| 9 | Saint Paul, MN | $37,623 | $18.09 |
| 10 | Lakewood, CO | $36,340 | $17.47 |
How Does RBT Pay Compare to Similar Roles?
RBT compensation is competitive among entry-level direct care roles in healthcare and human services. For context:
- Paraprofessional / school aide: $25,000 to $35,000 per year on average
- Direct support professional (DSP): $28,000 to $36,000 per year
- Home health aide: $28,000 to $34,000 per year (BLS data)
- Certified nursing assistant (CNA): $30,000 to $38,000 per year
RBT salaries sit at or above most entry-level direct care roles, with the added advantage of a clear career ladder toward the BCBA credential, where median salaries exceed $75,000 per year.
Average RBT Salary by Year
RBT salaries have shown consistent upward movement over the past decade, driven by growing demand and competition among providers for qualified staff:
| Year | Average Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $38,000 | $18.28 | +3.6% |
| 2021 | $36,700 | $17.63 | +2.7% |
| 2020 | $35,700 | $17.15 | +3.7% |
| 2019 | $34,400 | $16.53 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | $33,600 | $16.16 | -0.5% |
| 2017 | $33,800 | $16.25 | +0.0% |
| 2016 | $33,800 | $16.25 | +4.0% |
| 2015 | $32,400 | $15.59 | -0.6% |
| 2014 | $32,600 | $15.68 | +5.3% |
| 2013 | $30,900 | $14.86 | – |
What Factors Affect RBT Pay the Most?
Several variables have meaningful impact on where an individual RBT falls within the salary range:
- State and city: The single biggest factor. Hawaii pays more than twice what Idaho pays.
- Years of experience: Each year adds roughly $0.50 to $1.00 per hour on average.
- Employer type: Large multi-state ABA companies often pay more than small local providers, and tend to offer better benefits.
- Setting: Some in-home positions pay higher hourly rates to compensate for travel time and mileage.
- Bilingual skills: Spanish-speaking RBTs command premiums in many markets.
- Additional credentials: RBTs pursuing their BCaBA or BCBA often receive pay bumps as they accumulate supervised hours.
How to Increase Your RBT Salary
If you are working as an RBT and want to earn more:
- Gain experience with challenging cases: Employers pay more for RBTs who can work with higher-needs clients.
- Pursue additional certifications or training: Specialized training in areas like verbal behavior or crisis intervention can increase your value.
- Consider relocating: Moving from a lower-paying state to California, Massachusetts, or New York can significantly increase your hourly rate.
- Work toward BCaBA or BCBA: The credential jump from RBT to BCBA comes with a salary increase of roughly $30,000 to $40,000 per year on average.
- Ask for a market-rate review: If you have been at the same organization for more than a year without a raise, request a salary discussion backed by state salary data.
RBT Salary in International Contexts
Outside the United States, RBT salaries vary substantially based on whether ABA therapy is covered by national health systems and local demand:
- Canada: RBT-equivalent roles (often called “behaviour interventionist” or “ABA therapist”) earn approximately CAD $45,000 to $60,000 per year in most provinces, with higher rates in British Columbia and Ontario.
- United Kingdom: ABA is less integrated into NHS-funded services, so most positions are in private practice. Rates are roughly £25,000 to £35,000 per year.
- Australia: Under the NDIS (National Disability Insurance Scheme), ABA services are publicly funded. Behavior therapists earn approximately AUD $55,000 to $75,000 per year.
Join the Treetop ABA Team
At Treetop ABA Therapy, we invest in our team members and offer competitive compensation. We are always looking for passionate RBTs to join our growing team across multiple states. We sponsor RBT certification, provide strong BCBA supervision, and support career advancement toward BCaBA and BCBA credentials. Contact us to learn about current openings in your area.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of behavior technician makes the most money?
Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs) earn significantly more than RBTs, with median salaries above $75,000 per year. Among behavior technicians specifically, those with the most experience, additional certifications, and positions in high cost-of-living areas earn the highest rates.
What state pays RBTs the most?
Hawaii pays RBTs the most in the U.S., with an average salary of $54,222 per year, or $26.07 per hour. California and Connecticut round out the top paying states with large RBT populations.
How much does a behavior technician make per hour?
Registered behavior technicians typically earn between $15 and $17 per hour at entry level. The hourly rate varies based on location, experience, and employer. In higher-paying states, experienced RBTs can earn over $20 per hour.
Is being an RBT a good career?
Yes. Demand for RBTs is growing rapidly, with projected job growth above 20% over the next decade. It is a meaningful career where you directly help children with autism develop critical life skills. Many RBTs also use the role as a stepping stone toward becoming a BCBA. Contact Treetop to learn about career opportunities.
Do RBTs get benefits?
Benefits vary by employer. At Treetop ABA Therapy, we offer competitive benefits packages to full-time team members. Check our careers page for details on current openings and compensation.
How does RBT pay compare to a CNA or home health aide?
RBT pay is generally at or above comparable entry-level direct care roles like CNAs and home health aides, with the added benefit of a much clearer career advancement pathway toward the BCBA credential and significantly higher long-term earnings.
References
- PayScale: RBT Hourly Rate
- Bureau of Labor Statistics: Psychiatric Technicians and Aides
- Salary.com: RBT Salary Research
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