If you’re an RBT (Registered Behavior Technician) or thinking of becoming one, one of the first questions you probably ask is: How much do RBTs earn, and how much does it vary from state to state? Good question. Pay depends a lot on where you live (cost of living, demand, employer type) as well as your experience. So let’s break it down together.
What Is the Typical RBT Salary in the U.S.?
Before diving into state-by-state numbers, here’s the national picture so you have context:
- According to Indeed (2025), the average U.S. salary for an RBT is about $47,281/year. Indeed
- Glassdoor reports an average RBT salary of about $53,600/year or roughly $26/hour in many cases. Glassdoor
- Another source, PsychologyJobs.com, says average is around $39,520/year, with higher pay in some states. PsychologyJobs.com
So we see there’s a wide range depending on many factors. Now let’s zoom into what states pay on average.
State-Wise Breakdown
Here’s a table showing some average annual salaries (and hourly rates where available) for RBTs in various states. These are estimates based on recent data (2024-2025) and show how much the pay differs based on location. Use this as a guideline; actual pay can differ depending on employer, experience, full-time vs part-time, and whether work is clinic-based, home-based, or school-based.
*Hourly rate assumes a full-time schedule (~2,080 hours/year). Actual hourly pay may be higher or lower depending on work setting and hours.
Trends & What Influences These Numbers
Looking at the table above, we can see some clear patterns and factors that cause the variation:
- Cost of Living: States like Hawaii, California, and Massachusetts tend to pay more, in part because it’s expensive to live there. Higher rent, higher taxes, etc. make employers raise pay (or else people won’t stay).
- Urban vs Rural / Clinic vs In-Home or School-Based: Urban areas tend to pay more. Also, working for private clinics or doing in-home sessions might influence pay differently than working in schools or non-profits.
- Experience & Specialization: Even within the same state, someone with more years of experience—or additional responsibilities, or specialized skills—can make more. Bonus pay, shift differentials (evenings, weekends), travel (for in-home services) can add up.
- Demand & Insurance / Funding: Where ABA services are in high demand (many clients, few RBTs) pay tends to go up. Also, how services are funded—through state insurance, Medicaid, private insurance—affects what agencies can pay.
- Certification, Continuing Education & Supervision: While the RBT certification is required, additional qualifications (like training beyond the RBT, or working under certain supervision models) may lead to better pay.
Highest-Paying States for RBTs
Some states pay well above the national average due to higher cost of living, demand for ABA services, and local wage standards.
| Sr. No. | State | Average Hourly Pay | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hawaii | $23.00 – $25.50 | $47,800 – $53,000 |
| 2. | Massachusetts | $22.00 – $24.00 | $45,700 – $49,900 |
| 3. | California | $21.50 – $23.50 | $44,700 – $48,900 |
| 4. | Washington | $21.00 – $23.00 | $43,600 – $47,800 |
| 5. | New York | $20.50 – $22.50 | $42,600 – $46,800 |
Note – In these states, salaries are higher but so are living costs. For example, California and New York offer strong pay, but housing and daily expenses are also much higher than the national average.
Lowest-Paying States for RBTs
On the other side, some states offer lower average pay, often because of lower cost of living or limited demand.
| Sr. No. | State | Average Hourly Pay | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Mississippi | \$15.50 – \$16.50 | \$32,200 – \$34,300 |
| 2. | Arkansas | \$15.50 – \$16.50 | \$32,200 – \$34,300 |
| 3. | West Virginia | \$15.75 – \$16.75 | \$32,800 – \$34,800 |
| 4. | Alabama | \$16.00 – \$17.00 | \$33,200 – \$35,400 |
| 5. | South Dakota | \$16.00 – \$17.00 | \$33,200 – \$35,400 |
What to Do If Your State Seems Low
If you live in a state where RBT pay is on the lower side, here are some strategies to increase your earning potential:
- Negotiate your wage when applying, especially if you have experience or additional skills.
- Look for private clinics or in-home therapy jobs, which may pay more than schools or government/non-profit agencies in some places.
- Work overtime or take extra cases (if feasible). More hours often mean more income.
- Move or commute if possible — sometimes moving to a nearby higher-paying metro area makes a big difference.
- Sharpen your skills / certifications — continuing education, training, and good supervision can sometimes lead to higher roles or additional responsibilities.
Caveats & Things to Keep in Mind
- All salary data is approximate. Some sources collect data via user submissions, some via job postings. There could be lag in updating. Always check local job listings to see what employers in your area are offering.
- Cost of living changes (rent, utilities, gas, etc.) dramatically affect how far your salary goes. What looks like a high salary in one place may not “go far” in an expensive city.
- Many RBTs are hourly employees, not salaried. So your actual take-home can depend a lot on hours worked, travel time, whether travel is paid, etc.
- Benefits (health insurance, paid time off, travel reimbursements) often aren’t included in “salary” numbers, but they matter a lot.
Summary
- The national average RBT salary tends to hover somewhere around $45,000-$55,000/year for many states, though this can be quite a bit higher (for example, Hawaii) or lower depending on local conditions.
- State by state, RBTs in expensive states (Hawaii, CA, MA, New Jersey) often make more, while those in lower-cost or rural states may make less.
- What really moves your salary: experience, employer type, location, and negotiating your role or job setting.