How To Become A Behavioral Technician: What It Is and Career Path

What is a behavioral technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Kelly Henry Ph.D.

The behavior technician is responsible for assisting behavior analysts in implementing behavior reduction and skill acquisition treatment plans. You will monitor the patient's day-to-day activities and behaviors. You will record and collect data on a patient's progress and relate it to the clients. The environment for the patients and families must be safe and supportive. In addition, you must collaborate, communicate, and assist with the training of clients, staff, and parents. Lastly, you will attend additional training to acquire further knowledge and make sure you put into practice whatever you gain from the training.

The educational requirement for the post of a behavioral technician is a bachelor's or associate's degree in behavioral health or a related field. Professional certification is an added advantage. You must be physically fit and be able to lift and carry patients. A good written and verbal communication skill is also required for the post. Behavioral technicians are paid an average of $64,403 a year.

What general advice would you give to a behavioral technician?

Dr. Kelly Henry Ph.D.

Chair, Psychology, Missouri Western State University

IN PSYCHOLOGY, THERE ARE GOING TO BE INCREASED NEEDS IN BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT SORTS OF POSITIONS (BEHAVIORAL TECHNICIAN AND SO FORTH). ADDITIONALLY, TRAUMA-INFORMED THERAPY IS GOING TO BE AN INCREASING NEED. SEEKING OUT OPPORTUNITIES TO COMPLETE EVEN PRE-BACCALAUREATE MICROCREDENTIALS IN EITHER OF THESE AREAS WILL ENHANCE YOUR RESUME AND EMPLOYABILITY. FINALLY, DIALECTICAL-BEHAVIOR THERAPY HAS SEEN EMERGING CLEAR EVIDENCE OF ITS EMPIRICAL VALUE WITH A WIDE VARIETY OF POPULATIONS. GAINING A FOUNDATION IN THIS AND SEEKING CONTINUING EDUCATION IN THIS AREA WILL ALSO BE USEFUL.

ScoreBehavioral TechnicianUS Average

Salary

2.6

Avg. Salary $33,282

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 9%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.13%

Asian 6.43%

Black or African American 14.26%

Hispanic or Latino 20.09%

Unknown 6.17%

White 51.91%

Gender

female 67.29%

male 32.71%

Age - 30

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 30

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

6.7

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

5.9

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a behavioral technician

Explore behavioral technician education requirements

Most common behavioral technician degrees

Bachelor's

60.8 %

Associate

17.4 %

High School Diploma

9.0 %

Start to develop specific behavioral technician skills

Skills	Percentages
Autism	18.37%
Applied Behavior Analysis	13.04%
Behavior Analysis	11.74%
CPR	7.43%
Autism Spectrum Disorder	5.41%

Complete relevant behavioral technician training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New behavioral technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a behavioral technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real behavioral technician resumes.

Research behavioral technician duties and responsibilities

Manage the behavior of students using the CPI training skills when necessary.
Train in CPR and restraint techniques, as well as behavioral training to detect the precursors to behavioral issues.
Experience with individuals of all ages affect by autism and other behavioral, developmental or communication disorders
Implement behavioral support plans provide and produce by apply behavior analysts for individual consumers diagnose with autism spectrum disorder.

Prepare your behavioral technician resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your behavioral technician resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a behavioral technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable behavioral technician resume templates

Build a professional behavioral technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your behavioral technician resume.

Apply for behavioral technician jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a behavioral technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do behavioral technicians rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 star

Behavioral technician reviews

5.0

A zippia user wrote a review on May 2019

Pros

Working with children's development, building on common knowledge and skills The challenge it brings but knowing the outcome is what it's about.

Cons

There really is not anything that comes to mind.

A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2019