28 ABA Therapist Demographics & Statistics

Did you know there are more than 33,633 ABA therapists currently employed in the U.S?

judah schiller
Judah Schiller
August 15, 2023

Key ABA Therapy Statistics

Today we're going to show you the most up-to-date and important statistics about ABA therapists, including BCBAs and RBTs. If you're wondering how many ABA therapists there are, or how much they earn, you've come to the right place. Below are some of the latest demographics and facts about Applied Behavior Analysis.

  1. There are more than 33,633 ABA therapists currently employed in the U.S.
  2. 85.60% of ABA therapists are women, and 15.4% are men.
  3. The average ABA therapist salary is approximately $59,000 per year.
  4. The average age of ABA therapists is between 30-35.
  5. The highest paid ABA therapist can earn up to $90,000 per year.

Crucial ABA Therapy Statistics & Demographics

As of October 3rd, 2022, the number of people with BACB certification are as follows:

Number Of BCBAs Number Of BCaBAs Number Of RBTs
58,345 5,578 123,960

How Many BCBAs Are There In The US?

How Many BCaBAs Are There In The US?

How Many RBTs Are There In The US?

Number Of ABA Therapists By Race, Gender & Age

1. There are more than 33,633 ABA therapists currently employed in the U.S.

2. 85.60% of ABA therapists are women, and 15.4% are men.

3. The average ABA therapist salary is approximately $59,000 per year.

4. The current demand for ABA therapists is growing at a rate of 8% each year.

5. 76.6% of ABA therapists are White, 10.8% are Latino or Hispanic, and 7.7% are African American or Black.

6. The average age of ABA therapists is between 30-35 years of age.

7. The average ABA therapist has between 5-10 years of experience.

8. The highest paid ABA therapist can earn up to $90,000 per year.

9. Most ABA therapists work full-time but with a flexible schedule.

10. About 50% of ABA therapists are certified by the behavior analyst certification board.

11. Most ABA therapists have a masters degree or higher.

12. The average hourly rate for ABA therapists is between $25-40.

13. Most ABA therapists can expect to see around 10-20 clients per week while working 40 hours per week.

14. About 50% of ABA therapists are employed in private practice.

15. The top 10% of the highest-paid ABA therapists can earn $43,000 per year or more.

16. There are 57,000 board-certified behavior analysts in the U.S.

17. Most ABA therapists work in an office setting.

18. ABA therapists will work with clients for an average of 10-20 sessions per month, providing services to clients for an average of 6-12 months.

19. 1 in 2 children with autism that receive ABA therapy they need before turning four years old have increased social and speaking skills.

20. The average ABA therapist will develop individualized treatment plans for each client, and will provide services in the home and in a clinic setting.

21. There was a 1,098% increase in demand for BCaBAs from 2010-2018.

22. ABA therapists use evidence-based practices and techniques to provide services.

23. All ABA therapists levels are expected to see significant job growth in the upcoming years.

24. The average ABA therapist will collaborate with other professionals and family members to provide the most effective services.

25. The average ABA therapist will need to complete a minimum of 1500 hours of supervised experience.

26. ABA therapy is typically covered by insurance, but coverage varies by provider.

27. The average ABA therapy session lasts between 30-60 minutes.

28. The average ABA therapy program requires between 2-4 sessions per week.

ABA Therapy Success Rates

In 1987, the inventor of assisted behavior analysis therapy, Dr. Ivar lovaas found that 90% of children make large gains through ABA therapy.

Studies show that ABA therapy can be successful in helping individuals with autism learn new skills and reduce behavioral issues. One study conducted by researchers at the University of California, Davis found that ABA therapy can be effective in improving social and communication skills in children with autism. The study found that children who received ABA therapy showed greater improvements in eye contact, imitation, and other social behavior.

Another study conducted by researchers at the University of Florida found that ABA therapy was associated with improved educational and work outcomes for individuals with autism. The study found that individuals who had received ABA therapy were more likely to graduate from high school, have a postsecondary degree, and hold a job.

Overall, research has found that ABA therapy can be successful in improving social and communication skills, as well as other areas of functioning, in individuals with autism. ABA therapy can help individuals with autism learn new skills and reduce behavioral issues, making it a potentially effective form of treatment for individuals with autism.

ABA Therapy Success Stories

Studies have found that ABA therapy can be successful in improving social and communication skills, as well as other areas of functioning, in individuals with autism. ABA therapy has helped many individuals with autism lead more independent and successful lives.

One success story is that of Brandon, who was diagnosed with autism when he was three years old. Brandon began receiving ABA therapy at age six and continued to receive it until he was eight years old.

With the help of ABA therapy, Brandon was able to improve his communication skills, gain control of his behavior, and improve his academic performance. Brandon is now an adult and works as a therapist himself.

Another success story is that of Jack, who was diagnosed with autism when he was five years old. Jack's parents began seeking out ABA therapy for him when he was six, and he received ABA therapy for several years. As a result of his ABA therapy, jack was able to improve his language and communication skills, as well as his social skills. Jack is now an adult and is studying law at university.

These success stories demonstrate the potential of ABA therapy to help individuals with autism lead more independent and successful lives.

FAQs

What is the success rate of ABA therapy?

The inventor of ABA therapy, Ivar Lovaas, proved that early intervention and intensive behavioral therapy enabled 90% of children on the autism spectrum to make large gains through ABA therapy.

Is ABA in high demand?

Demand for ABA therapy continues to increase every year. In fact, BCBA job growth is expected to increase by over 20% in the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

How many ABA therapists are there in the U.S?

There are currently more than 33,633 ABA therapists employed in the United States. The majority of them are women (84.6%), while the minority are men (15.4%). On average, ABA therapists are 42 years old.

Is ABA scientifically proven?

The U.S. Surgeon General and the American Psychological Association considered ABA therapy to be an evidence-based best practice treatment. Applied Behavior Analysis has passed scientific tests of its quality, effectiveness, and usefulness.

At what age is ABA therapy most effective?

The strategies ABA therapists use to help children are most effective before the age of five. Therefore, the earlier your child receives ABA therapy, the more likely they will experience positive results.

What are the duties of an ABA therapist?

The duties and responsibilities of an ABA therapist range from:

  1. Writing behavior support plans
  2. Collecting data and sharing it with the team
  3. Conducting functional assessments
  4. Working with clients in different types of settings
  5. Communicating with teachers, family members, and cargivers

Sources