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Job outlook for behavior interventionists in the United States
Behavior interventionist job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected behavior interventionist job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 9,100 new jobs for behavior interventionists are projected over the next decade.
Behavior interventionist salaries have increased 10% for behavior interventionists in the last 5 years.
There are over 13,413 behavior interventionists currently employed in the United States.
There are 70,115 active behavior interventionist job openings in the US.
The average behavior interventionist salary is $38,908.
Are behavior interventionist jobs in demand?
Behavior interventionist job and salary trends over time
Behavior interventionist jobs over time
Behavior interventionist job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 13,413 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 14,462 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 14,136 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 12,073 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 10,842 | 0.00% |
Average behavior interventionist salary over time
Behavior interventionist salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $38,908 | $18.71 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $37,728 | $18.14 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $36,827 | $17.71 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $35,926 | $17.27 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $35,238 | $16.94 | +2.7% |
Behavior interventionist jobs by state
Most common states for behavior interventionists
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 2,440 | 36% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 116 | 16% |
| 3 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 889 | 15% |
| 4 | Maine | 1,335,907 | 207 | 15% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 150 | 14% |
| 6 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 83 | 12% |
| 7 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 801 | 11% |
| 8 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 627 | 11% |
| 9 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 553 | 10% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 197 | 10% |
| 11 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 106 | 10% |
| 12 | Pennsylvania | 12,805,537 | 1,112 | 9% |
| 13 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 1,096 | 9% |
| 14 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 841 | 9% |
| 15 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 605 | 9% |
| 16 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 363 | 9% |
| 17 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 336 | 9% |
| 18 | Arkansas | 3,004,279 | 278 | 9% |
| 19 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 129 | 9% |
| 20 | Delaware | 961,939 | 89 | 9% |
Most common cities for behavior interventionists
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manhattan Beach | 2 | 6% | $41,392 |
| 2 | Belmont | 1 | 4% | $43,086 |
| 3 | Palo Alto | 2 | 3% | $43,050 |
| 4 | Burlingame | 1 | 3% | $43,110 |
| 5 | San Leandro | 2 | 2% | $43,052 |
| 6 | Bothell | 1 | 2% | $42,415 |
| 7 | Alameda | 1 | 1% | $43,074 |
| 8 | Baldwin Park | 1 | 1% | $41,301 |
| 9 | Bellevue | 1 | 1% | $42,292 |
| 10 | Bellflower | 1 | 1% | $41,337 |
| 11 | Chicago | 3 | 0% | $40,114 |
| 12 | Los Angeles | 3 | 0% | $41,395 |
| 13 | Baltimore | 2 | 0% | $39,895 |
| 14 | San Diego | 2 | 0% | $41,300 |
| 15 | Anaheim | 1 | 0% | $41,301 |
| 16 | Aurora | 1 | 0% | $36,943 |
| 17 | Bakersfield | 1 | 0% | $41,829 |
Behavior Interventionist job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of behavior interventionist experts
Lewis University
Louisiana State University at Shreveport
University of North Dakota
Tiffin University
Nicholls State University
East Tennessee State University
Tuskegee University
Carolina Christian College
Montana State University – Bozeman
Ohio University
Vanguard University
Rider University
Angelo State University
What will help Behavior Interventionists increase their earning potential?
Emily Yowell Ph.D.: Psychologists should be aware of what others in their field are making for similar positions. It is important to ask for what your work is worth in an initial position to assure raises are based on a solid starting salary. Newer psychologists may also consider asking for an early review that prompts an early conversation around potential raises, bonus, or other job benefits.
Lisa Brown
Assistant ProfessorLewis University
School Counseling Program
What hard/technical skills are most important for Behavior Interventionists?
Lisa Brown: Because of the prevalence of social/emotional issues within K-12, especially in the last few years, school counselors need to have assessment skills. School counselors need to identify any red flags in their students that may indicate the student is struggling. This goes beyond academics and includes aspects such as interpersonal skills and self-worth.
Similar to assessment is data analysis. The gathering of data does not stop after a student is assessed but rather is just beginning. School counselors are held accountable to demonstrate the interventions they are utilizing are working. Data is also used to secure future funds. If an intervention used within the fall resulted in little change, a school district might not allocate funds to continue to use the same program. School counselors utilize data to demonstrate how effective they are and advocate for additional resources to address social/emotional issues within their student body.
As we learned during COVID-19, school counselors need to be tech-savvy. Many students are still learning remotely or are utilizing a hybrid format. While this has been quite helpful for some students, others are falling through the cracks. School counselors have had to get creative in checking in with their students and are doing so through technology.
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Master of CounselingLouisiana State University at Shreveport
Department Of Psychology
What soft skills should all Behavior Interventionists possess?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: Soft skills that are essential for counselors include emotional intelligence, empathy, multicultural competency, interpersonal abilities, and authenticity.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Behavior Interventionists?
Kacie Blalock Ph.D.: It is important that counselors are able to effectively take notes and summarize progress, interpret assessments, memorize and recall information, and keep clear yet concise records.
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.
MSW Program Director, Chemical Dependency Minor, Assistant ProfessorUniversity of North Dakota
Department of Social Work
What soft skills should all Behavior Interventionists possess?
Isaac Karikari Ph.D.: By default, social work practice is integrative. The levels of practice, broadly speaking, the micro-and macro-levels, intersect in ways that may not always be apparent. The capacity for critical and analytical thinking in identifying the nuances, seeing how these levels intersect, and understanding the implications for clients is essential for effective practice.
Relatedly, social work practice involves working with a diverse array of people across different systems and levels. A social worker needs to be able to navigate these systems. Systems thinking and the person-in-environment perspective are relevant.
Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential in helping one build and make the needed connections. These skills apply across the micro and macro levels.
The capacity to work collaboratively and with interdisciplinary teams is important. Other skills include genuinely demonstrating respect, empathy, reliability, integrity, and adaptability. Forbearance and emotional intelligence are often understated.
Social workers also need to have grit. Achieving and maintaining successful outcomes can be challenging.
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology, Counseling & Criminal JusticeTiffin University
Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Behavior Interventionists?
Jonathan Appel Ph.D.: Clinical practice license/certifications are often critical for marketability and employment. At Tiffin University we provide a training track for Psychology students to get a Chemical Dependency License to practice with an undergraduate degree. There is a nationwide shortage for licensed addiction specialists. The demand for licensed counselors in this area has increased greater than the supply.
These students are very often among the first of our graduates to get hired. Opportunities are only increasing as the The American Rescue Plan Act will provide $4 billion for substance use disorder and mental health services.
We also provide close advising and assist students to attend graduate school to obtain additional clinical licenses in the fields of psychology, counseling and social work.
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson
Assistant Professor & Coordinator of School Counseling ProgramNicholls State University
Department of Psychology, Counseling, and Family Studies
What technical skills for a Behavior Interventionist stand out to employers?
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson: In addition, recent graduates will need to be familiarized with using telehealth platforms due to more remote learning needs. Plus, recent graduates will need to familiarize themselves with their basic facilitative skills to establish rapport quickly to have brief sessions. Also, I would recommend students receive competency-based credentials and become licensed in at least one additional state. Lastly, I would recommend students familiarize themselves with crisis intervention and trauma counseling.
In sum, graduates have to be aware of how their roles may shift due to job displacement, furloughs, and restructuring. Due to new challenges presented in the COVID-19 pandemic, graduates have to be prepared to address the possibility of being faced with high caseloads, secondary traumatization, role conflict/ambiguity, and tension in the workplace. As a precautionary measure, neophytes should adopt a holistic self-care regimen and professional network to ameliorate the mental health condition.
Jamie Brown Ph.D.
ProfessorEast Tennessee State University
Department of Counseling and Human Services
What experience really stands out on Behavior Interventionist resumes?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: Community involvement and activism can set a potential candidate apart from other applicants.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Behavior Interventionists?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: We know that many of our graduates are drawn to the field of Human Services due to the issues they have faced in their own lives. We have seen an uptick in students sharing the fact they have struggled with Adverse Childhood Experiences during our remote teaching and advising. We need to be aware of Trauma-Informed teaching and outreach as a program and as a university.
What type of skills will young Behavior Interventionists need?
Dr. April Jones: In society, we have always known the individuals need hard and soft skills to function well in the workplace. It's often known as employability skills. Over time, emotional intelligence was another skill noted to have to work in the workplace. For social worker graduates, at entry-level to the workforce, in the coming years there may be new skillsets needed beyond the traditional knowledge of social work competencies and code of ethics, analytic and critical thinking skills, interpersonal skills, communication and problem-solving skills, team/group work, how to apply theory to methods of practice, etc. if COVID 19 pandemic sets a new norm or norm that will continue post an epidemic.
Technology use and application will bring a need for more tech-savvy graduates to interact with humans via videoconference, Bot chats, AR/VR therapy applications, communicating with symbols (e.g., memes, GIFs, emojis), Artificial Intelligence for best practices of assessment, interventions, or diagnosis, and much more. I can see more training on cultural awareness and various technology applications and etiquette.
This opens an excellent time for research and development of technology use in the social work as well. Skills that will be important are time management, self-management, and multi-tasking in a digital world. Information overload and faster communication processing must be balanced for graduates and their future clients. It appears an integration of current and new skills will need to be apart of a young graduate's toolbox to meet the workforce demands and to have a competitive advantage.
What type of skills will young Behavior Interventionists need?
Dr. Andrew Wood: For Biblical Studies, it is vital that graduates have a genuine relationship with Jesus, that they are people of humility and integrity, desire to be lifelong learners, and have open minds to new things they learn that may challenge their original assumptions. They need to have a strong work ethic, organizational, and time management skills to work on their own productively and with integrity.
Dr. Mark Nelson
Professor and Program LeaderMontana State University – Bozeman
Department of Health and Human Development; Graduate Program – School Counseling
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Behavior Interventionists to find work opportunities?
Dr. Mark Nelson: Rocky Mountain and western states seem to have many opportunities. This may be due to the westward migration in the U.S. population.
How do you envision technology impacting Behavior Interventionists in the next 5 years?
Christine Suniti Bhat: The pandemic has already altered the way in which school counselors are engaging with their students. The importance of learning management systems and dynamic tools to interact with students online will continue to grow. School counselors will have to be prepared to deliver individual services as well as group and class interventions using technologies such as Zoom or Microsoft Teams.
This is something that we would not have anticipated five years ago. School counselors may also have to address issues related to isolation, loneliness, and excessive screen time, along with some of the issues that are related to the misuse of technology such as cyberbullying and sexting. Prevention (before problems arise) and intervention (addressing issues after they arise) are both important. Overall, health and wellness in relation to the use of technology will become more important.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Behavior Interventionists in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: The goal is to connect and to be able to create meaningful connections with those you serve, those you are attempting to teach or preach. Zoom will continue to be a vital video-conferencing platform. Depending on the age group you serve, social media platforms such as Youtube, Instagram, and FB (Live) will also be essential to creating community and delivering transformative content.
What general advice would you give to a Behavior Interventionist?
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.: Opportunities come in many different shapes and sizes, but they are still out there. Whether you are seeking to land a job in education or the non-profit sector, you will need to familiarize yourself and get used to all things digital, for the sake of communicating effectively. The younger your student or service partner's mindset, the more digitally savvy you will need to be, especially in the classroom and in the non-profit world.
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.
Acting Assistant ProfessorRider University
Department of Graduate Education, Leadership, and Counseling
What general advice would you give to a Behavior Interventionist?
Aubrey Daniels Ph.D.: Those who are beginning their career with a degree in mental and social health services and allied professions should aim to get as much experience as possible! Apply for positions where you are allowed to work with others, whether through one-on-one counseling, groups, or consulting. Also, take this time to learn about the business component of the profession, too.
Other ways to gain more experience is by partaking in a variety of training, online webinars, and conferences. There are many free online instructions you can partake in to gain more knowledge about topics of interest, whether it is a specific type of therapeutic approach or more information about a mental health disorder.
Also, be open! You never know which population you enjoy serving most, until you get the most experience possible. Lastly, a more diverse caseload will provide you with a better idea about how to help a wide range of individuals. It will also assist you in learning more about the different ways people view the world, which will widen your view of the world.
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.
Director, Quality Enhancement Plan Program Coordinator, M.S. Professional School Counseling Associate Professor, Curriculum and InstructionAngelo State University
Department of Curriculum and Instruction
What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Behavior Interventionists in the next 3-5 years?
Lesley Casarez Ph.D.: Graduates will need to learn to use technology in which virtual platforms are taking place and web conferencing platforms. Numerous platforms are being used, so the particular platform itself is not as crucial as being well-versed in how virtual education differs from face-to-face environments. Typically, the instructional role in online learning is more of a facilitator, as the educator guides the students to think critically, integrate, and apply new knowledge. This may be difficult for educators who would rather stand in front of a classroom and pass on their knowledge through lecture-based formats. Additionally, being well-versed in various web conferencing platforms will benefit graduates, as they move into a career that is currently requiring communication in virtual environments.