It’s an exciting time to be living in North Dakota for those who provide ABA services to manage autism. The state is in the midst of a vibrant campaign to expand insurance coverage to include ABA services provided by Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s).
BCBA® salaries have already been reinforced since the passage of the national Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2010. Under this current law those seeking reimbursed treatment for autism have these benefits in North Dakota:
- Essential health benefits must be covered by all insurance plans
- Children can be on their parents’ health insurance plan until they are 26 years old
- Coverage cannot be denied for pre-existing conditions
- Coverage is provided for preventative services
While the ACA has made general progress in providing reimbursement for autism treatment, currently 46 states have specifically addressed this issue and passed laws recognizing BCBA®s as essential professionals in the treatment of autism. North Dakota is not one of them.
That’s why North Dakotans for Autism Insurance Reform held a meeting in Minot at the end of October in 2016. They are leading a coalition of parents, teachers, mental health professionals, and professional organizations in an effort to convince state lawmakers to enact reforms that would specifically make ABA services provided by BCBA®s covered by insurance. In fact, they already have the basic legislation for this insurance reform drafted.
Once this legislation is passed BCBA®s can expect another windfall as their demand shoots up thanks to new coverage benefits. Right now that passage seems to only be a matter of time as coalition forces coalesce.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in North Dakota can earn salaries as high as $101,360 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in North Dakota
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):
- 50th: $101,360
- 75th: $119,770
- 90th: $128,380
Starting Salaries for Behavior Analysts in North Dakota
The most highly paid BCBA®s in North Dakota 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):
- 10th: $48,920
- 25th: $78,620
- 50th: $101,360
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.