Behavior Technician Salary in the United States

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

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavior Technician in the United States is $41,195 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $49,056
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $37,168 to $45,310
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $33,502
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View as table View as graph 25% $37,168 10% $33,502 90% $49,056 75% $45,310 $41,195 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Behavior Technician Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $45,310 $3,776 $871 $22
Average $41,195 $3,433 $792 $20
25th Percentile $37,168 $3,097 $715 $18
Check out Behavior Technician Job Openings in the United States
Behavior Technician

I Am Boundless - Columbus, OH

Behavior Technician

Advanced Behavioral Therapy - Columbus, OH

Behavior Technician

New Story Schools (OH) - Columbus, OH

Behavior Technician Community

I Am Boundless, Inc. - Columbus, OH

Search More Behavior Technician Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Behavior Technician Salaries

A Behavior Technician'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.

How Experience Level Affects Behavior Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Behavior Technician'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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,475
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $89,869
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $104,097
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $138,161
  • Expert (over 8 years): $170,998
Levels Salary
Behavior ... Level Behavior Technician$41,475
Behaviora... Level Behavior Technician$89,869
Behaviora... Level Behavior Technician$104,097
Behaviora... Level Behavior Technician$138,161
VP of Beh... Level Behavior Technician$170,998
$41,475 0 yr
$89,869 < 2 yrs
$104,097 2-4 yrs
$138,161 5-8 yrs
$170,998 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Behavior Technicians

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: $51,960
  • San Francisco: $51,391
  • Oakland: $50,308

What Skills Can Increase a Behavior Technician's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Social Work (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.68%
Social Work 3.01%
First Aid 2.61%
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 Technician's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Child Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Applied Behavior Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$50,670
23%
Child Development
$44,079
7%
Applied Behavior Analysis
$42,843
4%
Social Work
$42,843
4%
Products and Services
$42,431
3%
Organizational Skills
$42,019
2%
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Behavior Technician Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Behavior Technician 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 Technician positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavior Technician as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Behavior Technician

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$49,434$24.020%

How Education impacts a Behavior Technician's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Behavior Technicians enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Behavior Technician with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $38,567 and $40,902).

Behavior Technician Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Behavior Technician
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 17.7%
Associates 12.6%
Bachelors 53.0%
Masters 16.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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Behavior Technician Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Behavior Technician'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

Salary Trends for Behavior Technician

Salaries for a Behavior Technician can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $37,918 in 2023 to around $37,274 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Behavior Technician salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Behavior Technician Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$37,918
2024
$37,559
2025
$37,274
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $37,918
2024 $37,559
2025 $37,274
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Behavior Technician

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Behavior Technician

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

Find Your Next Behavior Technician Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Behavior Technician job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Heartland ABA

    Columbus, OH

    Heartland ABA | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. After-School RBT Opportunity for Educators. Are you a seasoned Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) looking for the right... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Astro ABA

    Columbus, OH

    Astro ABA | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) - Part Time. Join Our Team at Astro ABA. At Astro ABA, we're dedicated to providing ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Total Education Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Total Education Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. 🌟. Make a Difference. Build Your Career. Have Fun Doing It. . 🌟. Looking for a career where every day brings new wins, ... more

    6 Days Ago

  • I Am Boundless

    Columbus, OH

    I Am Boundless | Columbus, OH

    Behavior Technician. Primary job responsibility is to help persons with developmental disabilities and/or mental health disorders succeed in the community,... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Autism Learning Partners

    Columbus, OH

    Autism Learning Partners | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Start a fulfilling journey at Autism Learning Partners, supporting children and teens with autism. Build your career whil... more

    8 Days Ago

  • ICBD

    Columbus, OH

    ICBD | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Registered Behavior Technician - RBT/BT - Part-Time. ABA Centers of Ohio. Marion, OH. RBT: Starting rate of $21.40 per ho... more

    6 Days Ago

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FAQ about Behavior Technician

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Behavior Technician?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Behavior Technician 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.)

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