How To Become A Developmental Therapist: What It Is and Career Path

What is a developmental therapist and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a developmental therapist. For example, did you know that they make an average of $18.27 an hour? That's $38,005 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 14% and produce 18,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreDevelopmental TherapistUS Average

Salary

3.0

Avg. Salary $38,005

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level

Growth Rate 14%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity

4.6

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.71%

Asian 5.41%

Black or African American 7.93%

Hispanic or Latino 16.55%

Unknown 4.77%

White 64.64%

Gender

female 83.40%

male 16.60%

Age - 36

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 - 36

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Key steps to become a developmental therapist

Explore developmental therapist education requirements

Most common developmental therapist degrees

Bachelor's

67.0 %

Master's

13.8 %

Associate

10.7 %

Start to develop specific developmental therapist skills

Skills	Percentages
Autism	10.33%
Early Intervention	10.22%
Adaptive	8.66%
Children Birth	8.37%
IFSP	5.85%

Research developmental therapist duties and responsibilities

Demonstrate working knowledge of community mental health services identify in the Medicaid guidelines and attain contractual outcomes within designate time frames.
Conduct developmental evaluations and behavior therapy in an early intervention program for children with autism and other developmental delays.
Experience working with children diagnose with autism and developmental disabilities who exhibit behavioral disorders.
Used positive reinforcement through ABA to help develop social and motor skills.

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