After ten years in the field, Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s) in Illinois can earn up to $92,000 a year. The median salary among these experienced ABAs was $62,764 as of December 2016. These professionals enjoyed an annual incremental salary increase of more than $1,200 each year. In addition, the median bonus for ABAs in Illinois is $2,750.
A number of highly influential organizations recognize applied behavior therapy as the most effective treatment for autism. They include the US Surgeon General and the American Academy of Pediatrics. Autistic children can require as much as 30 hours of treatment a week, and having access to insurance greatly increases the likelihood that parents can afford this type of treatment. Insurance coverage increases opportunities for ABAs employed in private practices and those that practice independently.
Illinois required insurance coverage for autism spectrum disorders (ASD) as early as 2008. The state amended its law in 2009 to require coverage of habilitative services such as ABA for children younger than 19 who have an early acquired, genetic, or congenital disorder such as ASD.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Illinois can earn salaries as high as $101,600 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 Illinois
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):
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI:
- 50th: $101,600
- 75th: $119,200
- 90th: $130,050
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Illinois
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Illinois 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):
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI:
- 10th: $38,310
- 25th: $71,680
- 50th: $101,600
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.