ABA Therapist Statistics Overview
National ABA Therapist Demographics
ABA therapists are the unsung heroes for folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and similar conditions. Getting a handle on who these professionals are can shed some light on the field.
Over 33,633 ABA therapists are working in the U.S. today. Women dominate the field, making up 71.1% of the workforce. When it comes to ethnicity, 64.5% of ABA therapists are White. The average age of these therapists is 40.
| Demographic | Percentage |
| Women | 71.1% |
| Men | 28.9% |
| White | 64.5% |
| Average Age | 40 years |
More numbers show that 85.60% of ABA therapists are women, and 15.4% are men. They earn about $59,000 a year on average.
ABA Therapist Job Growth Predictions
The need for ABA therapists is on the rise. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says the job growth rate for these therapists is set to jump over 20% by 2029. This boom is thanks to more folks recognizing how effective ABA therapy is for people with ASD and the increasing number of autism diagnoses.
| Statistic | Value |
| Current ABA Therapists in the U.S. | 33,633 |
| Predicted Job Growth Rate by 2029 | >20% |
| Average Salary | $59,000 |
There are about 90,000 ABA therapists worldwide, most of whom practice in the U.S. Around 60,000 are currently working in the country.
For more details on ABA therapist demographics in states like Maryland, New Jersey, and Colorado, check out our articles on ABA therapists in Maryland and Colorado ABA therapy providers.
ABA Therapist Demographics in Maryland
Age, Gender, and Ethnicity Breakdown
Getting a handle on who makes up the ABA therapist crowd in Maryland can shed some light on the workforce. Across the country, the typical ABA therapist clocks in at around 42 years old. Maryland might have its own twist on this age average, but it gives a ballpark figure.
When it comes to gender, women are leading the pack. Nationwide, 71.1% of behavior analysts are female. Maryland will likely follow suit.
Looking at ethnicity, most ABA therapists in the U.S. are White (64.5%), with Hispanic or Latino (14.3%), Black or African American (10.2%), and Asian (7.1%) making up the rest. Maryland’s ethnic mix might echo these national numbers.
| Demographic | Percentage |
| Female | 71.1% |
| Male | 28.9% |
| White | 64.5% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 14.3% |
| Black or African American | 10.2% |
| Asian | 7.1% |
Salary Insights and Job Demand
ABA therapists in Maryland see their paychecks vary based on how long they’ve been in the game, their skills, job title, and certification level. Across the U.S., the average yearly salary for ABA therapists is $36,263. In Maryland, newbies start at about $30,000 a year, while the top earners rake in $43,000 or more annually.
| Salary Range | Amount |
| Average Annual Salary | $36,263 |
| Starting Salary | $30,000 |
| Top 10% Salary | $43,000+ |
ABA therapists are in hot demand, with job growth expected to soar over 20% by 2029. This boom is fueled by the growing awareness of how crucial ABA therapy is for folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and similar conditions.
For more scoop on ABA therapists in Maryland, including what it takes to get licensed, check out our page on ABA therapist licensure in Maryland.
ABA Therapist Demographics in New Jersey
Diversity and Representation
New Jersey’s best ABA therapists come from various backgrounds, creating a colorful tapestry of professionals. Across the U.S., women dominate the field, making up about 71.1% of ABA therapists, while men account for 15.4%. The ethnic makeup in New Jersey mirrors national patterns, with a hefty chunk of White therapists alongside a variety of other ethnic groups.
| Demographic | Percentage |
| Women | 71.1% |
| Men | 15.4% |
| White | 64.5% |
| Other Ethnicities | 35.5% |
Salary Ranges and Growth Opportunities
In New Jersey, ABA therapists’ paychecks can vary quite a bit, depending on their experience, skills, and certifications. Starting out, they might earn around $30,000 a year, but the high-flyers in the top 10% can pull in $43,000 or more annually. Across the country, the average salary for ABA therapists is about $59,000 per year.
| Experience Level | Average Salary |
| Entry-Level | $30,000 |
| Mid-Level | $36,263 |
| Top 10% | $43,000+ |
| National Average | $59,000 |
New Jersey is a hot spot for ABA therapists looking to climb the career ladder. The demand for these professionals is set to jump by over 20% by 2029, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This surge is fueled by growing awareness of how crucial ABA therapy is for folks with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and similar conditions.
ABA Therapist Demographics in Colorado
Employment Opportunities
In Colorado, the need for ABA therapists is on the rise, opening up a bunch of job options for folks in this line of work. Precious Care ABA offers both full-time and part-time gigs for staff to carry out thorough evaluations and treatments for kids from birth up to 22 years old who have developmental delays or disabilities. This flexibility lets therapists pick roles that match their schedules and career aspirations.
| Employment Type | Opportunities |
| Full-Time | Available |
| Part-Time | Available |
For those keen on working in Colorado, there are various ABA therapy centers in Colorado that offer a range of services and support for children with autism and related conditions.
Training and Certification Programs
Precious Care ABA really focuses on training and growing their staff. When hired, therapy staff get Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training and certification from one of their Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). This dedication to training makes sure therapists are ready to provide top-notch treatment services.
For BCBA candidates, Precious Care has an intensive, hands-on program that zeroes in on the practical side of behavior analysis. This program gives real-world experience in developing, running, and supervising behavior therapy programs, which is crucial for getting a feel for the field.
| Training Program | Description |
| RBT Training | Provided upon hire |
| BCBA Candidate Program | Intensive, hands-on |
Plus, Precious Care ABA appreciates bilingual skills and pays therapists extra for this ability. As a bilingual operation, they offer therapy and report translations in both Spanish and English. This focus on bilingual capabilities underscores the importance of making services accessible to diverse communities.
By getting a handle on the job opportunities and training programs available, folks can make smart choices about diving into a career as an ABA therapist in Colorado.
Challenges Faced by Black Families
Structural Barriers in Diagnosis
Black, African-American, and multiracial families often hit a wall when trying to get an autism diagnosis for their kids. It’s not just about the medical stuff; it’s about the whole system being stacked against them. These families are often left out of important research on autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
On average, Black children get diagnosed with autism more than three years after their parents first raise concerns. This happens no matter what kind of insurance they have. Black parents tend to bring up mental health or behavior issues instead of autism-specific concerns when they first talk to doctors. This delay can really mess with early intervention, which is key for helping kids.
Families face a bunch of hurdles like racism, unfair access to screenings, and biased doctors. These make it even harder to deal with the usual problems like not enough doctors, long waits, and high costs. Doctors often send Black and multiracial kids for speech tests instead of developmental ones. They’re more likely to act if they see issues themselves, but if it’s just the parents talking, they might just wait it out.
Access to Therapies and Supports
Parents of Black and multiracial kids with autism are calling out for more affordable and easy-to-get therapies, schools, and family support. They also want to see more Black and multiracial faces among the doctors, therapists, and support groups.
Money issues, long waits, and a lack of culturally aware providers make it tough to get the help they need. Families often can’t find providers who get their cultural and social backgrounds, which can make therapies less effective.
To tackle these problems, we need to make therapies cheaper and easier to access, get more Black and multiracial professionals in the field, and train providers to be culturally aware.
By getting a handle on these structural and access issues, we can build a fairer and more effective care system for all kids with autism.
Precious Care ABA Insights
Staff Training and Development
Precious Care ABA is all about making sure their team is top-notch when it comes to helping kids with developmental challenges. They offer both full-time and part-time gigs for folks who want to dive into evaluating and treating children from birth up to 22 years old. It’s like a career buffet with options.
Once you’re on board, you get the royal treatment with Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) training and certification, courtesy of their Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBAs). This isn’t just a checkbox exercise; it’s about making sure the team is always on their A-game.
For those aiming to be BCBAs, there’s an intense program that’s all about getting your hands dirty with real-world behavior analysis. It’s like boot camp for behavior therapy, where you learn to develop, run, and oversee therapy programs.
SOURCES:
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10330934/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists/colorado?category=applied-behavioral-analysis
https://www.williamjames.edu/academics/school/applied-behavior-analysis/career-outlook.html
