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Job outlook for behavior analysts in the United States
Behavior analyst job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected behavior analyst job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 9,100 new jobs for behavior analysts are projected over the next decade.
Behavior analyst salaries have increased 10% for behavior analysts in the last 5 years.
There are over 11,943 behavior analysts currently employed in the United States.
There are 67,013 active behavior analyst job openings in the US.
The average behavior analyst salary is $73,616.
Are behavior analyst jobs in demand?
Behavior Analyst job and salary trends over time
Behavior Analyst jobs over time
Behavior Analyst job growth rate over time
Year  | # Of Jobs | % Of Population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 11,943 | 0.00% |
| 2020 | 13,006 | 0.00% |
| 2019 | 12,682 | 0.00% |
| 2018 | 10,690 | 0.00% |
| 2017 | 9,550 | 0.00% |
Average behavior analyst salary over time
Behavior Analyst salary by year
| Year | Avg. Salary | Hourly Rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $73,616 | $35.39 | +3.1% |
| 2024 | $71,384 | $34.32 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $69,680 | $33.50 | +2.5% |
| 2022 | $67,975 | $32.68 | +2.0% |
| 2021 | $66,673 | $32.05 | +2.7% |
Behavior Analyst jobs by state
Most common states for behavior analysts
| Rank | State | Population | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 95 | 14% |
| 2 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 421 | 5% |
| 3 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 343 | 5% |
| 4 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 256 | 4% |
| 5 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 248 | 4% |
| 6 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 230 | 4% |
| 7 | Hawaii | 1,427,538 | 60 | 4% |
| 8 | Delaware | 961,939 | 34 | 4% |
| 9 | California | 39,536,653 | 1,027 | 3% |
| 10 | Illinois | 12,802,023 | 371 | 3% |
| 11 | Georgia | 10,429,379 | 304 | 3% |
| 12 | Arizona | 7,016,270 | 235 | 3% |
| 13 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 84 | 3% |
| 14 | Alaska | 739,795 | 24 | 3% |
| 15 | North Dakota | 755,393 | 19 | 3% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 333 | 2% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 146 | 2% |
| 18 | Alabama | 4,874,747 | 95 | 2% |
| 19 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 87 | 2% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 20 | 2% |
Most common cities for behavior analysts
| Rank | City | # of Jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barnstable Town | 5 | 11% | $80,898 |
| 2 | Weymouth Town | 4 | 7% | $80,384 |
| 3 | Cleburne | 2 | 7% | $79,690 |
| 4 | Hampton | 6 | 4% | $78,437 |
| 5 | Worcester | 4 | 2% | $80,578 |
| 6 | New Haven | 3 | 2% | $89,883 |
| 7 | Bloomington | 2 | 2% | $68,714 |
| 8 | Boston | 6 | 1% | $80,233 |
| 9 | Raleigh | 3 | 1% | $66,450 |
| 10 | Baton Rouge | 2 | 1% | $71,732 |
| 11 | Chesapeake | 2 | 1% | $78,413 |
| 12 | Phoenix | 4 | 0% | $83,427 |
| 13 | Denver | 3 | 0% | $72,767 |
| 14 | Atlanta | 2 | 0% | $78,451 |
| 15 | Charlotte | 2 | 0% | $65,475 |
Behavior Analyst job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of behavior analyst experts
East Tennessee State University
Vanguard University
Angelo State University
Rider University
What will help Behavior Analysts increase their earning potential?
Katherine Stavrianopoulos Ph.D.: Continued Learning and Development: Stay committed to lifelong learning by attending workshops, pursuing advanced certifications, and staying updated on the latest research and therapeutic techniques. Supervision and Mentorship: Seek out supervision and mentorship opportunities from experienced professionals in the field. Consider participating in a peer supervision group where you can support one another and be open to constructive criticism as part of your development. Engage in regular self-reflection for personal growth. Prioritize Self-Care: Establish healthy boundaries between work and personal life, engage in activities that recharge you and help prevent burn out. Cultural Competence and Diversity: Cultivate cultural humility and strive to understand the diverse backgrounds and perspectives of your clients. Continuously educate yourself on multiculturalism and antiracism to provide competent and inclusive counseling services. Ethical Practice: Adhere to ethical guidelines and professional standards in your practice. Strive to Build Strong Therapeutic Relationships: Establish rapport, demonstrate empathy, and create a safe and trusting environment where clients feel comfortable exploring their thoughts and feelings. Evidence-Based Practice: Stay informed about research findings and utilize interventions that have been empirically validated for specific client populations and presenting issues. Networking and Collaboration: Build professional connections within the counseling community. Attend conferences, join professional organizations, and participate in networking events to expand your professional network. Collaboration with colleagues can lead to referrals, consultation opportunities, and mutual support. Consider doing some pro bono work: Pro bono services help bridge the gap to access mental health services for individuals who cannot afford them.
Jamie Brown Ph.D.
ProfessorEast Tennessee State University
Department of Counseling and Human Services
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Behavior Analysts?
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 experience really stands out on Behavior Analyst resumes?
Jamie Brown Ph.D.: Community involvement and activism can set a potential candidate apart from other applicants.
Dr. Tommy Casarez Ph.D.
Dr., Assistant Professor of Historical and Systematic TheologyVanguard University
Religion, Undergraduate Religion
What general advice would you give to a Behavior Analyst?
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.
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 Analysts 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.
Juleen Buser Ph.D.
Professor and Director, School Counseling and Coaching ProgramsRider University
Graduate Education
What general advice would you give to a Behavior Analyst?
Juleen Buser Ph.D.: Counseling Services (school counseling concentration) and an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (we have a CMHC concentration and a Dance Movement Therapy concentration in this program). The general advice I would give to graduates starting positions in the counseling field would be to understand the critical importance of the work of helping professionals. Counselors optimally provide a safe space for clients to discuss their fears, worries, anxieties, joys, traumas, insecurities, accomplishments, etc. This ability to be an empathic, listening, accepting presence will be even more crucial for clients in our current situation.