What Does a Behavior Analyst Do?

Behavior analysts help their clients develop healthy behavioral patterns by first conducting assessments and then suggesting strategies based on evidence-based research. Behavior analysts help their clients determine the causes of their challenging or problematic actions and responses, and provide guidance on how to curb or change those behaviors.

Learn what a behavior analyst does and how earning an advanced degree in applied behavior analysis (ABA) can lead to an exciting range of careers focused on improving people’s well-being.

What Is a Behavior Analyst?

Behavior analysts help individuals struggling with problem or maladaptive behavioral patterns. To develop successful behavioral treatment plans, behavior analysts conduct a series of behavioral assessments with their clients. After reviewing the assessment results, they then curate treatment recommendations based on evidence-based practices. 

Behavior analysts’ responsibilities include:

• Conducting assessments of clients to gather data on their behavioral patterns
• Measuring the behavioral occurrences’ duration, form, and intensity and graphing the data to reflect the measurements
• Identifying the factors in clients’ lives that promote their behavioral issues
• Using positive and negative reinforcement procedures to help guide their behavior

In addition to working directly with their clients, behavior analysts may also conduct meetings with the clients’ families, their teachers, and other individuals in their lives to discuss the clients’ behavioral patterns. Being skilled at observation and discussion is essential to behavior analysts’ work, as these skills help them collect the data that provides the insight needed to establish the best treatment plans for their clients.

Careers for Behavior Analysts

Many different roles are available to applied behavior analysis professionals. Exactly what a behavior analyst does day to day depends on their specific role. While each of the following positions requires an advanced degree in applied behavior analysis or a related field of study, the additional certification they require varies based on the position.

• Board certified behavior analyst
• Mental health counselor
• Autism specialist
• Forensic behavior analyst
• Researcher in behavior analysis

How to Become a Behavior Analyst

Positions in applied behavior analysis are highly dynamic and involve working with vulnerable client populations. To ensure they can best serve their clients with quality care, analysts must first meet certain education and certification requirements.

Required Education

Behavior analyst roles often require at least a bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, or a related field. A Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis or a related field can help individuals seeking advanced positions, and is required for certain roles.

Additional Certification

Additional credentials can help professionals advance in their career, as they demonstrate commitment to the field and an understanding of behavior analysis. In many cases, certification is required to qualify for certain ABA positions, though exact requirements vary by position.

The Behavior Analyst Certification Board offers three levels of certification for those in the ABA field: registered behavior technician, board certified assistant behavior analyst, and board certified behavior analyst.

Registered Behavior Technician

Registered behavior technician (RBT) certification is a paraprofessional certification. RBTs work under the supervision of a board certified assistant behavior analyst or a board certified behavior analyst. Candidates must be at least 18 years old and have completed the 40-hour RBT training by the time they apply for the exam. Candidates have 90 minutes to take the RBT exam, which contains 85 multiple-choice questions.

Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst

The board certified assistant behavior analyst (BCaBA) is an undergraduate-level certification in ABA. BCaBA candidates must have a bachelor’s degree or higher in an accredited program and practical fieldwork experience in ABA. The BCaBA certification exam contains 175 multiple-choice questions. Those with BCaBA certification work under the supervision of BCBAs.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst

Becoming a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA) provides practitioners with more job opportunities and a greater earning potential. BCBA candidates must have a master’s degree or higher from an accredited program and have practical fieldwork experience in the ABA field to be eligible. The exam contains 185 multiple-choice questions covering various aspects of ABA content.

Common Work Settings for Behavior Analysts

Several types of organizations employ behavior analysts. Some common work settings for ABA professionals are:

• Hospitals
• Schools
• Residential substance use or mental health facilities
• Outpatient substance use or mental health facilities
• Individual or group practices

Behavior analysts work in a number of specialty areas, each catering to a unique community. Behavior analysts need to develop strong interpersonal and communication skills to meet the demands of their diverse clientele.

Behavior Analyst Salary and Job Outlook

Behavior analysts had a median annual salary of approximately $73,000 as of April 2025, according to Payscale, with board certified behavior analysts having a median salary of about $78,000. A behavior analyst’s salary can be affected by factors such as their experience, location, and level of education.

The job outlook for behavioral science occupations is promising, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projecting 19% employment growth for substance use, mental health, and behavioral disorder counselors, including behavior analysts, between 2023 and 2033 — much higher than the 4% projected growth for the labor market as a whole.

The BLS forecasts about 48,900 job openings will be available for these professionals each year over that same decade. Demand for behavior analysts and counselors is expected to grow as more individuals seek behavioral support and treatment.

Follow Your Calling With an Applied Behavior Analysis Degree

Pursuing a degree in applied behavior analysis can lead to a meaningful and impactful career working to improve the quality of life of people in need. With the help of behavior analysts, individuals in neurodiverse communities as well as those struggling with mental health or substance use issues have greater access to resources that can empower them to lead more fulfilling and healthy lives.

The Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis program at Tseng College at California State University, Northridge, offers a curriculum that addresses behavioral theory and its real-world application, readying students for the next step in their journey toward becoming behavior analysts.

Individuals who complete this well-rounded program are prepared for a broad range of roles, from BCBA to mental health counselor to outpatient therapist, all of which are focused on bettering the lives of others.

While they are enrolled in the master’s program in ABA, students have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience. Presenting at conferences, conducting research, and working as a teacher assistant are a few ways that students can enrich their time at Tseng College and their understanding of the field. These experiences have proven to be helpful to students when they graduate and transition into the working world, with 90% of our students having jobs in the behavior analysis field upon graduating.

For individuals interested in a related rewarding career, CSUN offers a variety of other advanced degree programs as well.

Discover more about CSUN’s master’s programs and how one of these programs can support your career goals today.