Experienced BCBA®s in Arizona can earn as much as $102,765 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The state of Arizona required that applied behavior analysts (ABA) be board certified in 2009. Since this type of certification requires at least a master’s degree, BCBA®s in states that require this credential generally earn higher salaries than their colleagues in states that lack this regulation.
The state of Arizona instituted a regulation in 2009 that certain insurance companies must provide coverage for autism services. Broader coverage of autism treatment has increased the opportunities available to independent ABA practitioners.
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in Arizona’s Largest Cities
The range of salaries for board-certified behavior analysts with ten years of experience in the field are shown below (median to top 10% – current as of May, 2021):
Phoenix:
- 50th: $105,000
- 75th: $117,730
- 90th: $124,090
Tucson:
- 50th: $100,530
- 75th: $111,740
- 90th: $121,060
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in Arizona’s Largest Cities
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Arizona who lack job experience in the field of behavior analysis can command salaries that exceed the median salary among highly experienced BCBA®s in the state. Salary data shown below is current as of May, 2021 (10th percentile to median):
Phoenix:
- 10th: $47,780
- 25th: $88,300
- 50th: $105,000
Tucson:
- 10th: $26,460
- 25th: $80,910
- 50th: $100,530
Arizona Offers Numerous Resources to Treat Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
The CDC reported that Arizona is one of 13 states in the country that tracked the prevalence of autism in eight-year old children in its analysis of the prevalence of autism in the US released in 2014. The Arizona survey included children who lived in metropolitan Phoenix. The results indicated that one in 66 children were identified with ASD in 2012—almost equal to the national average.
Behavior modification by ABAs has been a key form of treatment for autistic children for decades. These behavior analysts train children to interact with other people and when possible, to learn to talk and read. Early treatment is particularly important for children who fall on the ASD spectrum, so they will be more likely to attend public school and be able to live independently.
The Arizona Association for Behavior Analysis serves as the state’s professional organization for BCBA®s. The sponsors of this organization provide insight into the types of companies, schools, and service organizations that hire BCBA®s in Arizona:
Schools:
- Arizona Autism Charter Schools
- Dominic Savio Academy
Companies:
- Arion Care Solutions, LLC
- Autism Spectrum Therapies
- Accel Bista Center
- Blossom Park – Precision Teaching Learning Center
- Creative Therapy Solution
- Gentry Pediatric Behavior Services
- Hope Group
- Intermountain Centers for Human Development
- Jigsaw Developmental Services
- KOI Education
- Lauren’s Institute for Education
- Marc Community Resources
- Melmed Center
- Open Hearts
- Optima Behavioral Consulting
- E.E.E. Arizona
- TherapyTime & The Clubhouse Centers
- Touchstone Health Services
- United Behavioral Services, LLC
2021 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Psychologists, All Other reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed January 2023.