Massachusetts is unique in the nation, being one of only a handful of states that does not cap reimbursement for autism services based on age, cost or the number of treatment hours. That means Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA®s) have more opportunities here than in most other places.
An amendment to the state’s insurance reimbursement law went into effect on January 1, 2011, requiring many types of health insurance plans – individual, group, state employee, and HMOs – to cover the treatment and diagnosis of autism-spectrum disorders. BCBA®s are recognized by this law as being a legitimate provider of these services to address autism-spectrum disorders.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Massachusetts can earn salaries as high as $116,600 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 Massachusetts
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):
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua:
- 50th: $112,860
- 75th: $129,480
- 90th: $133,370
Springfield:
- 50th: $116,600
- 75th: $123,470
- 90th: $133,760
Starting Salaries for BCBA®s in the Largest Metropolitan areas of Massachusetts
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Massachusetts 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):
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua:
- 10th: $4,9170
- 25th: $62,710
- 50th: $112,860
Springfield:
- 10th: $29,220
- 25th: $86,530
- 50th: $116,600
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.