If you are passionate about helping others overcome behavioral challenges and lead more fulfilling lives, a career as a Behavior Interventionist (BI) can be incredibly rewarding. But beyond the profound personal satisfaction, what is the financial outlook for this vital profession? Understanding the salary landscape is a crucial step in planning your career path.
This article provides a data-driven look at what you can expect to earn as a Behavior Interventionist. While starting salaries are often modest, this is a field with significant growth potential, where your earnings can increase substantially with experience, education, and specialization. On average, Behavior Interventionists can expect to earn a salary ranging from $35,000 to over $60,000 per year, with several key factors influencing that figure.
Let's break down the numbers and explore how you can maximize your earning potential in this growing field.
What Does a Behavior Interventionist Do?
Before diving into salary specifics, it's important to understand the role. A Behavior Interventionist works directly with individuals—often children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but also adults with developmental disabilities or other behavioral challenges—to implement treatment plans developed by a supervising professional, such as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).
Key responsibilities include:
- Implementing behavior intervention plans (BIPs) using principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).
- Teaching new skills and communication strategies.
- Collecting detailed data on behavior and progress.
- Providing direct one-on-one or group therapy.
- Collaborating with families, teachers, and a wider clinical team to ensure consistent support.
It's a hands-on, dynamic role that requires patience, empathy, and a strong analytical mindset.
Average Behavior Interventionist Salary
Salary data for Behavior Interventionists can vary depending on the source, but they all point to a consistent range. It's important to note that many BIs, especially at the entry-level, hold a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT®) certification, which is often a baseline requirement for the role.
- Payscale.com reports that the average salary for a Behavior Interventionist is around $45,300 per year, with a typical range falling between $35,000 and $58,000.
- Salary.com places the median salary slightly higher, at approximately $48,900 per year, with most professionals earning between $42,000 and $54,000.
- Glassdoor lists a national average salary of $46,900 per year, based on user-submitted data.
In general, you can expect an entry-level position to start in the mid-to-high $30,000s, while highly experienced BIs or those in senior or lead roles can earn upwards of $60,000 per year.
Key Factors That Influence Salary
Your base salary is just a starting point. Several critical factors can significantly impact your earning potential. Understanding these levers is key to advancing your career and your income.
### Level of Education
Education forms the foundation of your career. While some entry-level BI positions may only require a high school diploma alongside an RBT certification, a bachelor's degree is increasingly becoming the standard and can command a higher starting salary.
- Bachelor's Degree: A degree in psychology, education, social work, or a related field is highly desirable and can increase your starting salary by several thousand dollars per year compared to having only a high school diploma.
- Master's Degree and BCBA Certification: This is the most significant educational leap you can make. While a Behavior Interventionist *implements* plans, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) *creates* them. This requires a master's degree, extensive supervised fieldwork, and passing a board exam. The jump in salary is substantial, with BCBAs often earning between $75,000 and $100,000+ per year. Many BIs pursue a master's degree while working, positioning themselves for a major career and salary advancement.
### Years of Experience
As with any profession, experience pays. As you move from an entry-level practitioner to a seasoned professional, your value to an organization—and your paycheck—will grow.
- Entry-Level (0-1 year): Professionals in this stage are typically focused on mastering the fundamentals of ABA implementation and data collection. Salaries will be at the lower end of the national range.
- Mid-Career (2-9 years): With a few years of experience, you become more efficient, adept at handling complex cases, and may begin training new staff. This experience warrants a significant pay increase.
- Experienced (10+ years): Senior BIs often take on lead or supervisory roles, mentor junior staff, and may contribute to program development. Their expertise makes them highly valuable and places them at the top of the earning range for this role.
### Geographic Location
Where you work matters—a lot. Salaries for Behavior Interventionists vary widely by state and even by metropolitan area due to differences in cost of living, demand for services, and state funding for behavioral health.
According to data from various salary aggregators, states with a high cost of living and strong state support for ABA services tend to pay the most. Top-paying states often include:
- California
- Massachusetts
- New York
- Washington
- Maryland
Conversely, states in the Southeast and parts of the Midwest may offer salaries that are closer to or slightly below the national average. Always research the specific salary range for the city or state where you plan to work.
### Company Type
The type of organization you work for is another major factor. Each setting comes with its own unique salary structure, benefits, and work environment.
- Private ABA Clinics/Agencies: These are often the highest-paying employers. They are specialized businesses focused solely on providing ABA therapy and can be very profitable, allowing for more competitive salaries to attract top talent.
- Public School Systems: Schools often hire BIs to support students with special needs. While the base salary may be slightly lower than in a private clinic, school-based positions often come with excellent benefits, including state retirement plans, union protection, and a school-year calendar (summers off).
- Healthcare and Hospital Systems: Hospitals or large healthcare networks may employ BIs as part of a larger pediatric or behavioral health department. Salaries are typically competitive and come with comprehensive healthcare benefits.
- Non-Profit Organizations: Non-profits are mission-driven and can provide incredibly fulfilling work. However, due to budget constraints, their salaries may be on the lower end of the spectrum compared to for-profit clinics.
### Area of Specialization
While many Behavior Interventionists work with children on the autism spectrum, specializing can open doors to higher-paying opportunities. Niche areas that may offer enhanced earning potential include:
- Early Intervention (Ages 0-3): Specializing in this critical developmental window is in high demand.
- Severe Problem Behaviors: Working with clients who exhibit significant aggressive or self-injurious behaviors requires advanced skill and training, which often comes with higher compensation.
- Verbal Behavior: Focusing on the development of language and communication skills is a highly sought-after specialization.
Job Outlook
The future for Behavior Interventionists is exceptionally bright. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have a specific category for "Behavior Interventionist," we can look to closely related professions for an accurate forecast.
The BLS projects that employment for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is expected to grow 18% from 2022 to 2032. This rate is much faster than the average for all occupations. The growth is driven by several factors, including:
- Increased public and medical awareness of ASD and other behavioral disorders.
- Better insurance coverage for ABA therapy.
- A greater emphasis on integrated healthcare that includes mental and behavioral support.
This high demand creates strong job security and upward pressure on wages for qualified professionals in the field.
Conclusion
A career as a Behavior Interventionist offers a clear path for professional and financial growth. While an entry-level salary may begin in the $35,000-$45,000 range, it is far from a static figure.
Your earning potential is directly in your control. By pursuing higher education, gaining valuable experience, choosing a high-demand location or employer, and considering a specialization, you can significantly increase your salary. For those with long-term ambition, the path to becoming a BCBA offers a six-figure earning potential.
Ultimately, this is a career that pays in more ways than one. You have the unique opportunity to make a measurable, positive impact on people's lives while building a stable, in-demand, and financially rewarding career.