As the diagnosis and treatment of autism has grown in Maryland, so has the demand for board certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s). That is one of the reasons why applied behavior analysts in Maryland earn some of the nation’s highest average salaries for this profession.
By law Maryland mandates that treatment for autism spectrum disorders is covered by these plans:
- Insurance company plans
- Non-profit health service plans
- Individual insurance plans
- Health maintenance organizations (HMOs)
This covers infants, children, and young adults up to the age of 19. BCBA®s are also eligible for reimbursement through the state’s federally supported Value Options.
One of the biggest increases in autism treatment coverage came with the passage of the Affordable Care Act in 2010. This opened the door for coverage under the state’s new health care marketplace, the the Maryland Health Benefits Exchange. Any insurance plans through this exchange are now required to include autism coverage.
In January of 2017 it’s expected that Medicaid insurance plans will also begin covering autism treatment provided by applied behavior analysts.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Maryland can earn salaries as high as $117,500 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 Maryland
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):
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson:
- 50th: $117,500
- 75th: $134,780
- 90th: $166,860
Hagerstown-Martinsburg:
- 50th: $50,100
- 75th: $117,500
- 90th: $127,880
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Maryland
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Maryland 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):
Lewiston-Auburn:
- 10th: $51,670
- 25th: $93,940
- 50th: $117,500
Portland-South Portland:
- 10th: $31,140
- 25th: $39,430
- 50th: $50,100
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.