As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Behavior Specialist in the United States is $298,080 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $143.
However, a Licensed Behavior Specialist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Licensed Behavior Specialist Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $329,620 | $27,468 | $6,339 | $158 |
| Average | $298,080 | $24,840 | $5,732 | $143 |
| 25th Percentile | $279,585 | $23,299 | $5,377 | $134 |
A Licensed 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 a Licensed 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 Licensed Behavior Specialist | $288,601 |
| Intermediate Level Licensed Behavior Specialist | $289,927 |
| Senior Level Licensed Behavior Specialist | $291,253 |
| Specialist Level Licensed Behavior Specialist | $293,109 |
| Expert Level Licensed Behavior Specialist | $298,080 |
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Scheduling | 5.26% |
| Case Management | 3.48% |
| CPR | 2.24% |
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 Licensed Behavior Specialist's salary.
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
| Healthcare Services | $321,926 | |
| Medication Management | $318,946 | |
| Collaboration | $312,984 |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Licensed Behavior Specialists enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent 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 Licensed Behavior Specialist with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $250,405 and $266,352).
| Typical Education for Licensed Behavior Specialist | |
|---|---|
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
| No Diploma | 0.5% |
| High School | 2.3% |
| Associates | 1.6% |
| Bachelors | 4.2% |
| Masters | 5.7% |
| Doctorate | 85.6% |
Understanding how a Licensed 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $329,620 | $27,468 | $6,339 | $158 |
| Average | $298,080 | $24,840 | $5,732 | $143 |
| 25th Percentile | $279,585 | $23,299 | $5,377 | $134 |
Salaries for a Licensed Behavior Specialist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $232,271 in 2023 to around $227,061 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Licensed Behavior Specialist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 | View More |
| 2023 | $232,271 |
| 2024 | $237,789 |
| 2025 | $227,061 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
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|
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The Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Behavior Specialist roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.
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