As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Applied Behavior Specialist in the United States is $43,834 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $21.
However, an Applied Behavior Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
Smart Recruiting
An Applied Behavior Specialist'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Applied Behavior Specialist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Applied Behavior Specialist | $42,534 |
| Intermediate Level Applied Behavior Specialist | $42,729 |
| Senior Level Applied Behavior Specialist | $44,159 |
| Specialist Level Applied Behavior Specialist | $45,762 |
| Expert Level Applied Behavior Specialist | $45,981 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Applied Behavior Specialists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Leadership | 8.14% |
| Catering | 1.95% |
| Cost Control | 1.16% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Quality Assurance
|
$47,779 |
9%
|
|
Safety Training
|
$47,341 |
8%
|
|
Microsoft Office
|
$47,341 |
8%
|
|
Team Management
|
$47,341 |
8%
|
|
Commitment
|
$47,341 |
8%
|
|
Motivating
|
$46,903 |
7%
|
For Applied Behavior Specialist roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 25% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Hospitality & Leisure, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Applied Behavior Specialist positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Applied Behavior Specialist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $48,218 | $23.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $46,026 | $22.0 | 5% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Applied Behavior Specialists enter the field with a No Diploma degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for an Applied Behavior Specialist with a No Diploma is between $39,144 and $41,185).
Applied Behavior Specialist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 5.9% |
| High School | 55.9% |
| Associates | 17.6% |
| Bachelors | 20.6% |
| Masters | 0.0% |
| Doctorate | 0.0% |
Understanding how an Applied Behavior Specialist'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 September 01, 2026Salaries for an Applied Behavior Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $42,650 in 2023 to around $42,423 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Applied Behavior Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $42,650 |
| 2024 | $42,644 |
| 2025 | $42,423 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Applied Behavior Specialist and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Applied Behavior Specialist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Hospitality & Leisure industry offers the highest average compensation for Applied Behavior Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
