In 2008, South Carolina passed the Autism Insurance Reform Law (also known as Ryan’s Law) to improve access to essential services such as applied behavior analysis for children with autism. Under the updated law, insurance plans in the state are required to cover therapy for autistic children under 16, including ABA therapy. Insurance companies are allowed to limit their coverage of ABA to $50,000 annually, but the law has helped improve access to care for hundreds of children and was a boon for applied behavior analysts who work independently and in private practices. (Autism Votes, 2008)
South Carolina’s updated insurance laws not only allow autistic children to receive the support they need, but aptly support applied behavior analysts by expanding opportunities and earning potential.
In addition to public health departments and other government agencies, school districts, and for-profit private practice, applied behavior analysts have the option to work for non-profits like Project Hope Foundation, a South Carolina nonprofit that offers free ABA services to autistic children whose parents might not otherwise be able to afford the therapy.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in South Carolina can earn salaries as high as $92,120 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 South Carolina
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):
Lewiston-Auburn:
- 50th: $92,120
- 75th: $104,420
- 90th: $116,710
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of South Carolina
The most highly paid BCBA®s in South Carolina 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: $46,220
- 25th: $77,480
- 50th: $92,120
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.