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ABA Behaviorist Salary in California

How much does an ABA Behaviorist make in California? As of November 01, 2026, the average salary for an ABA Behaviorist in California is $65,664 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, an ABA Behaviorist's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $80,460
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,190 to $73,409
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $59,027
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out ABA Behaviorist Job Openings in California

Key Factors That Influence ABA Behaviorist Salaries

An ABA Behaviorist's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects ABA Behaviorist Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an ABA Behaviorist's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $63,861
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $64,266
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $65,879
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $66,202
  • Expert (over 8 years): $66,417
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level ABA Behaviorist less than 1 year $63,861
Early Career Level ABA Behaviorist 1-2 years $64,266
Mid-Level Level ABA Behaviorist 2-4 years $65,879
Senior-Level Level ABA Behaviorist 5-8 years $66,202
Expert Level ABA Behaviorist over 8 years $66,417

How Do ABA Behaviorist Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract ABA Behaviorists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $65,914.
  • California: $65,664.
  • Massachusetts: $64,789.

Top Paying Cities for ABA Behaviorist

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Los Angeles: $65,777
  • West Hollywood: $65,730
  • Dodgertown: $65,777

ABA Behaviorist Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For ABA Behaviorist roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 100% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Software & Networking and Aerospace & Defense sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 50% above the average. In contrast, ABA Behaviorist positions in Telecom or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view ABA Behaviorist as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for an ABA Behaviorist

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Software & Networking $98,496 $47.0 50%

ABA Behaviorist Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an ABA Behaviorist's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on November 01, 2026
$62,190
Average $65,664/year
$73,409
$5,182
Average $5,472/month
$6,117
$1,196
Average $1,263/week
$1,412
$30
Average $32/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $73,409 $6,117 $1,412 $35
Average $65,664 $5,472 $1,263 $32
25th Percentile $62,190 $5,182 $1,196 $30

Find Your Next ABA Behaviorist Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current ABA Behaviorist job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Heartlinks ABA IN | NEW AUGUSTA, IN

    Board Certified Behavior Analyst Autism ABA

    Heartlinks ABA IN | NEW AUGUSTA, IN

    Provide applied behavior analysis services to children with autism and related disorders. Develop and monitor instructional programs and behavior plans, de... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Heartlinks ABA MD | KINGSVILLE, MD

    Board Certified Behavior Analyst

    Heartlinks ABA MD | KINGSVILLE, MD

    Provide evidence-based ABA services to children with autism and related disorders in home and community settings. Develop and update instructional programs... more

    6 Days Ago

  • RCM Healthcare Services | KAHULUI, HI

    ABA Registered Behavior Technician

    RCM Healthcare Services | KAHULUI, HI

    RCM Healthcare Services is seeking a compassionate Registered Behavior Technician to provide 1:1 ABA therapy to children and individuals with developmental... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Caravel Autism Health | SHAWNEE, KS

    Behavior Technician ABA Therapy

    Caravel Autism Health | SHAWNEE, KS

    Caravel Autism Health is hiring a Shawnee to support children with autism through evidence-based ABA therapy. In this on-site role, you’ll implement treatm... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Caravel Autism Health | EAGAN, MN

    Autism ABA Therapist

    Caravel Autism Health | EAGAN, MN

    Join Caravel Autism Health in Eagan and help change the lives of children with autism. In this ABA-focused role, you will deliver 1:1 therapy using evidenc... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Caravel Autism Health | DULUTH, MN

    Autism ABA Behavior Technician

    Caravel Autism Health | DULUTH, MN

    Caravel Autism Health is seeking a Duluth-based Behavior Technician to support children with autism through evidence-based ABA therapy. In this role, you’l... more

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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