After ten years in the field, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s) in Georgia can earn up to $86,000 a year. ABAs in Georgia earned a median salary of $59,079, enjoying an annual incremental salary increase of nearly $850 each year.
ABA is considered the most effective treatment for autism, but can be prohibitively expensive without insurance. After years of struggling, parents of children with autism in Georgia celebrated as the state became the 41st to require insurance coverage for the treatment of this disorder on April 29, 2015. House Bill 429 passed both chambers unanimously on the final day of the legislative session.
The legislation requires insurance companies to pay up to $30,000 a year to cover treatment for children six and under who have been diagnosed with autism. Insurance coverage for the treatment of autism increases the opportunities for ABAs, since behavior modification is one of the gold standards for autism treatment.
Governor Nathan Deal and Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle both took the rare step of testifying in favor of the legislation at a committee meeting. The bill’s passage came amid staunch and unrelenting opposition from some influential business groups according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Small businesses expressed concern that the cost of the treatment could drive up the cost of insurance premiums. State Representative Greg Morris pointed out that the bill is highly cost effective and will save a substantial amount in healthcare costs down the road.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Georgia can earn salaries as high as $106,770 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Georgia
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):
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell:
- 50th: $106,770
- 75th: $116,480
- 90th: $125,930
Augusta-Richmond County:
- 50th: $101,340
- 75th: $110,550
- 90th: $116,710
Columbus:
- 50th: $92,550
- 75th: $104,420
- 90th: $116,700
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Georgia
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Georgia 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 for entry-level ABAs is current as of May 2021 (10th percentile to median):
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell:
- 10th: $68,100
- 25th: $97,070
- 50th: $106,770
Augusta-Richmond County:
- 10th: $26,290
- 25th: $85,220
- 50th: $101,340
Columbus:
- 10th: $79,250
- 25th: $79,250
- 50th: $92,550
Autism Treatment by ABAs in Georgia
Burning Glass Technologies reported that the main skill listed in job postings for BCBA®s was knowledge of autism treatment. ABAs treat this disorder by modifying the behavior of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
The CDC collaborates with agencies that work with children who have developmental disabilities. Part of this involves tracking the prevalence of ASD in 8-year olds. Georgia’s survey assessed nearly 50,000 children in metropolitan Atlanta (Gwinnett, Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and Clayton Counties).
The results identified that 1 in 64 children had ASD as of 2012. While 41% of the children had average or above average intelligence, more than one third were diagnosed with an intellectual disability. These findings can be used in a number of ways:
- Promote early ID of ASD
- Plan for ASD services and training
- Inform policies that promote improved outcomes in education and healthcare for individuals with ASD
- Guide future ASD research
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.