Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Florida can earn salaries as high as $107,950 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Florida Statutes Now Require Insurance to Cover Therapy for Individuals with ASD
Effective 2008, Florida Statutes mandate that insurance companies cover the cost of behavioral therapy for individuals with developmental disabilities including autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The statute specifies that the supervisors of clinical directors of such programs hold a doctorate degree with a primary focus in behavior analysis. In addition, the staff must include certified BCBA®s in order for the treatment to be covered.
Florida’s mandate that insurance cover treatment services for individuals with ASD made it feasible for ABAs to operate in the private sector and has created new opportunities for independent practitioners. The nonprofit advocacy organization Autism Speaks® identified 322 providers who treat autism in Florida as of November 2016.
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Florida
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):
Jacksonville:
- 50th: $104,270
- 75th: $119,770
- 90th: $126,870
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach:
- 50th: $107,950
- 75th: $121,040
- 90th: $127,590
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford:
- 50th: $103,710
- 75th: $118,540
- 90th: $131,960
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent:
- 50th: $98,130
- 75th: $113,630
- 90th: $119,770
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater:
- 50th: $101,340
- 75th: $116,7100
- 90th: $119,930
Salaries for New BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Florida
Shown below are the entry-level salary figures for behavior analysts in the largest cities in Florida by metropolitan area. Salary data shown below for entry-level ABAs is current as of May 2021 (10th percentile to median):
Jacksonville:
- 10th: $92,120
- 25th: $98,030
- 50th: $104,270
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach:
- 10th: $27,910
- 25th: $82,530
- 50th: $107,950
Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford:
- 10th: $77,480
- 25th: $95,560
- 50th: $103,710
Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent:
- 10th: $60,550
- 25th: $85,450
- 50th: $98,130
Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater:
- 10th: $46,220
- 25th: $77,480
- 50th: $101,340
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.