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Behavior Analyst Salary in the United States

How much does a Behavior Analyst make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavior Analyst in the United States is $70,632 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $34.

However, a Behavior Analyst's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,356
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,658 to $80,433
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $53,488
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Behavior Analyst Salaries

A Behavior Analyst's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Behavior Analyst Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Behavior Analyst's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Intake Coordinator (2-4 years): $62,806
  • Behavior Analyst (4-7 years): $70,632
  • Behavioral Health Supervisor (7+ years): $90,823
  • Behavioral Health Manager (7+ years): $105,202
  • Behavioral Health Director (7+ years): $139,627
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Intake Coordinator2-4 years$62,806
Behavior Analyst4-7 years$70,632
Behavioral Health Supervisor7+ years$90,823
Behavioral Health Manager7+ years$105,202
Behavioral Health Director7+ years$139,627
View as Graph

How Do Behavior Analysts Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Behavior Analysts. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $78,204.
  • California: $77,907.
  • Massachusetts: $76,869.

Top Paying Cities for Behavior Analyst

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $89,088
  • San Francisco: $88,113
  • Oakland: $86,256

What Skills Can Increase a Behavior Analyst's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 18.99% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Programming (Mentioned in 2.57% Job Postings): Executing logic to facilitate computing operations and functionality in one or more languages.
  • Pediatric (Mentioned in 1.89% Job Postings): Pediatrics is the branch of medicine that involves the medical care of infants, children, adolescents, and young adults.
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 18.99%
Programming 2.57%
Pediatric 1.89%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Behavior Analyst's salary.

  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Analysis and Assessment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Listening: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity $73,457
4%
Analysis and Assessment $73,457
4%
Listening $73,457
4%
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Behavior Analyst Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Behavior Analyst salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $76,090. While startup companies pay approximate $64,596.

Behavior Analyst Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $64,596
Growth Stage 51~500 $68,264
Established 501~5000 $73,526
Enterprise 5000+ $76,090

Behavior Analyst Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Behavior Analyst roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Behavior Analyst positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavior Analyst as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Behavior Analyst

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$84,758$41.020%

Behavior Analyst Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Behavior Analyst's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026
$61,658
Average $70,632/year
$80,433
$5,138
Average $5,886/month
$6,703
$1,186
Average $1,358/week
$1,547
$30
Average $34/hour
$39
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $80,433 $6,703 $1,547 $39
Average $70,632 $5,886 $1,358 $34
25th Percentile $61,658 $5,138 $1,186 $30

Behavior Analyst Salary Growth & Career Path

Behavior Analyst

Next Role

Advancement

For a Behavior Analyst, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Behavioral Health Supervisor role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $90,823 - a projected growth of 29% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Behavior Analyst

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Behavior Analyst

Here are companies hiring for Behavior Analyst and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Behavior Analyst

1. Where can a Behavior Analyst earn the most?

A Behavior Analyst's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Behavior Analyst earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Behavior Analyst is $89,088.

2. What is the highest pay for Behavior Analyst?

The highest pay for Behavior Analyst is $89,356.

3. What is the lowest pay for Behavior Analyst?

The lowest pay for Behavior Analyst is $53,488.

4. What are the responsibilities of Behavior Analyst?

Conducts psychological/behavioral assessments for assigned patients. Designs, implements and evaluates behavior intervention plans. Provides ongoing training to clinical staff in the implementation and management of behavior programs. Requires a master's degree in behavioral analysis or related field. May require certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Work is generally independent and collaborative in nature. Contributes to moderately complex aspects of a project. Typically requires 4 -7 years of related experience.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Behavior Analyst?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Behavior Analyst roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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