In 2012, Vermont enacted an autism insurance law that required all insurance plans—state employee health plans, individual plans, and full insured group plans for both large and small groups—to cover ABA therapy for autistic patients under the age of 21 (Autism Speaks, 2012).
By requiring each insurance plan in the state to cover ABA services for children and young adults through age 21, Vermont has distinguished itself as providing some of the best access in the nation to these much-needed services, making it one of the most lucrative states for independent ABAs and those in private practice. The state also sets no annual or lifetime benefits on cost, which allows ABAs to see patients more frequently.
The number of students in Vermont (ages 3-21) who are diagnosed with autism has increased immensely over the past 15 years. In 1999, there were 218 students diagnosed with autism, while there were 1,0004 autistic students in 2014 (US Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs, 2015). With the increase in autistic students, applied behavior analysts are in higher demand than ever before.
Experienced board-certified behavior analysts (BCBA®s) in Vermont can earn salaries as high as $98,280 a year, according to 2021 statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Salaries for Experienced BCBA®s in Vermont
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: $98,280
- 75th: $113,630
- 90th: $119,770
Starting Salaries for Behavior Analysts in Vermont
The most highly paid BCBA®s in Vermont 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: $77,020
- 25th: $77,030
- 50th: $98,280
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.