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The differences between aba therapists and behavior analysts can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an aba therapist, becoming a behavior analyst takes usually requires 4-6 years. Additionally, a behavior analyst has an average salary of $73,616, which is higher than the $35,938 average annual salary of an aba therapist.
The top three skills for an aba therapist include autism, applied behavior analysis and BCBA. The most important skills for a behavior analyst are autism, applied behavior analysis, and BCBA.
| ABA Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Yearly salary | $35,938 | $73,616 |
| Hourly rate | $17.28 | $35.39 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 14% |
| Number of jobs | 90,516 | 67,013 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 6 |
An ABA therapist is responsible for administering treatment plans to patients with behavioral disabilities and intellectual disorders, supporting them through systematic processes, and recording their developmental progress throughout therapy sessions. ABA therapists develop engaging activities for the children, observing their personal and social behaviors, and adjust approach as needed. They also coordinate with other behavior therapists and other medical health professionals for refined strategies that adhere to the child's progress. An ABA therapist must have excellent communication and organizational skills to assist patients with different behavioral problems and attend to their needs efficiently.
A behavior analyst is responsible for supporting patients and students with mental and social difficulties, developing treatment plans to address their learning and/or social disabilities. Behavior analysts monitor the students' progress by evaluating their learning and providing them with comprehensive materials and resources according to a targeted curriculum. They also adjust therapy programs as needed, coordinating with other health professionals, students' families, and teachers to provide the best techniques to support their development.
Aba therapists and behavior analysts have different pay scales, as shown below.
| ABA Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average salary | $35,938 | $73,616 |
| Salary range | Between $27,000 And $47,000 | Between $51,000 And $105,000 |
| Highest paying City | Jersey City, NJ | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | New Jersey | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Cook Children's Medical Center | Empower U |
| Best paying industry | Education | Government |
There are a few differences between an aba therapist and a behavior analyst in terms of educational background:
| ABA Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 71% | Bachelor's Degree, 54% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | Northwestern University |
Here are the differences between aba therapists' and behavior analysts' demographics:
| ABA Therapist | Behavior Analyst | |
| Average age | 41 | 39 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 15.4% Female, 84.6% | Male, 28.9% Female, 71.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.4% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 15.4% Asian, 4.6% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 12% |