Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) Salary | Top-Paying State
The average Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) salary in the U.S. is $47,186/year, ranging from $40K–$54K. Hourly rates typically fall between $15–$25. Top states like Florida & Hawaii offer up to $54K, while entry-level roles start around $15/hour.
RBT Salary with Bachelor’s Degree
The average salary for an RBT with a bachelor’s degree ranges from $32,000 to $43,000 annually. With experience, it can increase to $45,000–$55,000, and in high-demand areas, RBTs can earn up to $65,000 or more.
RBT Salary With a Bachelor’s Degree
| Experience Level | With Bachelor’s | Without Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32K–$43K / yr | $30K–$40K / yr |
| Mid-Career (5–10 yrs) | $45K–$55K / yr | Slightly lower |
| Advanced / Senior | Up to $65K+ | $50K–$66K |
Becoming a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) is rewarding and feels like a calling with a purpose, but let’s be honest, you also need to know if the paycheck makes sense.
RBT salaries do vary a lot depending on where you live, how long you’ve worked, and even which clinic hires you.
I pulled together everything: state-by-state breakdowns, best and worst states, city-level comparisons, hourly vs. yearly data, and experience-based pay growth. I also included my own and my students’ real-world experiences and salaries at the end.
RBT Salary Map (Click a State)
RBT Salary Calculator
State-by-State Breakdown of RBT Salaries
| State | Avg. Hourly | Avg. Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.20 | $35,770 |
| Alaska | $20.50 | $42,640 |
| Arizona | $18.40 | $38,270 |
| Arkansas | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| California | $22.10 | $45,968 |
| Colorado | $19.60 | $40,770 |
| Connecticut | $20.80 | $43,270 |
| Delaware | $19.20 | $39,940 |
| Florida | $18.25 | $37,960 |
| Georgia | $18.40 | $38,270 |
| Hawaii | $20.40 | $42,430 |
| Idaho | $17.30 | $35,970 |
| Illinois | $19.75 | $41,080 |
| Indiana | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| Iowa | $17.80 | $37,040 |
| Kansas | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| Kentucky | $17.60 | $36,610 |
| Louisiana | $17.40 | $36,190 |
| Maine | $18.10 | $37,640 |
| Maryland | $20.10 | $41,810 |
| Massachusetts | $21.30 | $44,300 |
| Michigan | $18.50 | $38,480 |
| Minnesota | $19.80 | $41,190 |
| Mississippi | $16.10 | $33,500 |
| Missouri | $17.80 | $37,040 |
| Montana | $17.20 | $35,770 |
| Nebraska | $17.60 | $36,610 |
| Nevada | $19.70 | $40,960 |
| New Hampshire | $19.50 | $40,560 |
| New Jersey | $21.00 | $43,680 |
| New Mexico | $17.90 | $37,230 |
| New York | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| North Carolina | $18.10 | $37,640 |
| North Dakota | $17.40 | $36,190 |
| Ohio | $18.40 | $38,270 |
| Oklahoma | $17.30 | $35,970 |
| Oregon | $20.10 | $41,810 |
| Pennsylvania | $19.30 | $40,144 |
| Rhode Island | $19.80 | $41,190 |
| South Carolina | $17.80 | $37,040 |
| South Dakota | $16.50 | $34,320 |
| Tennessee | $17.60 | $36,610 |
| Texas | $19.30 | $40,144 |
| Utah | $18.70 | $38,896 |
| Vermont | $18.20 | $37,860 |
| Virginia | $19.80 | $41,190 |
| Washington | $20.90 | $43,470 |
| West Virginia | $16.40 | $34,200 |
| Wisconsin | $18.90 | $39,312 |
| Wyoming | $17.50 | $36,400 |
| District of Columbia | $21.20 | $44,090 |
City-Level Pay Comparisons
| City | Avg. Hourly | Avg. Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $24.10 | $50,128 |
| New York, NY | $22.80 | $47,424 |
| Seattle, WA | $22.20 | $46,176 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $21.50 | $44,720 |
| Boston, MA | $21.30 | $44,300 |
| Washington, DC | $21.20 | $44,090 |
| Chicago, IL | $20.80 | $43,270 |
| Portland, OR | $20.10 | $41,810 |
| Denver, CO | $19.90 | $41,392 |
| Austin, TX | $19.40 | $40,352 |
Hourly, Monthly, and Annual Salaries by Role
| Role | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) | $18.50 | $38,460 |
| BCaBA (Assistant Behavior Analyst) | $25.00 | $52,000 |
| BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst) | $40.00 | $83,200 |
| BCBA-D (Doctoral Level) | $50.00 | $104,000 |
RBT Salary by Years of Experience
| Years of Experience | Avg. Hourly Pay | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 0–1 Year | $16.00 | $33,280 |
| 1–3 Years | $18.00 | $37,440 |
| 3–5 Years | $20.00 | $41,600 |
| 5–10 Years | $22.00 | $45,760 |
| 10+ Years | $25.00+ | $52,000+ |
RBT Bonuses & Promotions
| Category | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Sign-On Bonus | $500 – $2,000 |
| Annual Performance Bonus | $500 – $3,000 |
| Promotion to Senior RBT | +$2 – $4/hr |
| Promotion to Lead RBT / Supervisor | +$5 – $8/hr |
| BCaBA / BCBA Transition | $60,000 – $80,000+ |
I gotta tell you, don’t expect giant year-end bonuses as an RBT. This job mostly pays straight hourly or a salary.
Some of the clinics do offer “Lead RBT” or mentorship titles, but that’s just a couple of extra dollars an hour. (So, I guess you can go for it if you want it or need the money, but it won’t be much of a jump.)
The serious money doesn’t come until you move up the ladder.
If you make the jump from RBT → BCaBA → BCBA, your pay doesn’t just inch up, it leaps.
RBT Salaries: National Averages
| Pay Type | Average |
|---|---|
| Hourly | $18.50 |
| Weekly | $740 |
| Monthly | $3,205 |
| Yearly | $38,460 |
- SunrayABA: ~$41,000/year
- DiscoveryABA: ~$54,000/year
- BLS (for psychiatric technicians/aides): ~$42,590/year
- SupportiveCareABA: 25th–75th percentile falls between $36K–$47K
The average U.S. salary for an RBT sits between $40,000 and $54,000 per year, depending on the location.
For example, an RBT in Florida might get paid higher than Utah.
Related Job Titles with Higher Pay
| Job Title | Avg. Hourly Rate | Avg. Yearly Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Behavior Specialist | $23.00 | $47,840 |
| Behavior Analyst (BCaBA) | $30.00 | $62,400 |
| Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) | $38.00 | $79,040 |
| Behavior Consultant | $35.00 | $72,800 |
| Autism Specialist | $28.00 | $58,240 |
Hospitals, research centers, and intensive therapy programs often throw down $10K–$20K more than schools or small clinics.
So, here’s how they pay on average depending on your workplace.
RBT Salaries by Workplace
| Workplace Type | Avg. Hourly | Avg. Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| Hospitals | $25 | $52,000 |
| Research Centers | $26 | $54,000 |
| Intensive Therapy Programs | $27 | $56,000 |
| Public Schools | $19 | $39,500 |
| Private Schools | $20 | $41,600 |
| Small Clinics | $18 | $37,400 |
So, here are a few of the salaries according to their roles.
- BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analyst): $80K–95K/year
- Behavioral Therapist/Analyst roles: $80K+
- Travel RBTs: $80K–85K/year (because you’re paid to move where demand is hot)
- Specialized/Remote ABA roles: $82K–93K/year
So, it’s worth it. Trust me.
RBT Salary Growth (2014–2025)
| Year | Avg. Hourly | Avg. Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | $14.00 | $29,120 |
| 2015 | $14.25 | $29,640 |
| 2016 | $14.75 | $30,680 |
| 2017 | $15.50 | $32,240 |
| 2018 | $16.25 | $33,800 |
| 2019 | $17.00 | $35,360 |
| 2020 | $17.75 | $36,920 |
| 2021 | $18.25 | $37,960 |
| 2022 | $18.75 | $39,000 |
| 2023 | $19.25 | $40,040 |
| 2024 | $19.75 | $41,080 |
| 2025 | $20.00 | $41,600 |
Factors Influencing Your RBT Pay
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Location | States & cities vary in pay |
| Experience | More years = higher rates |
| Education | Degrees & training boost pay |
| Employer | Clinics vs. schools vs. private |
| Specialization | Autism, early intervention pay more |
| Certifications | Extra credentials = higher salary |
| Hours Worked | Overtime & full-time increase earnings |
So, personally, if I want more pay, location, skills, and roles depend, and you need to have that at the end of the day, location and employer are the biggest levers.
