If you’re interested in a career that offers security, variety, and a chance to help others, behavioral analysis is an exciting and dynamic field worth considering. With high demand in a variety of professional settings, working as a behavioral analysis expert will place you in one of the country’s fastest growing industries, making it well worth the investment needed to earn the necessary qualifications. According to Indeed.com the average Board Certified behavioral analyst earns $67,491/year.
Career Paths
The most popular and accessible career path for behavioral analysts is counseling. This can be done in a hospital or clinic setting, public schools, a drug or alcohol treatment facility, as part of a private practice, alongside a human resources team, and many other settings. Another growing career branch for behavior analysts is within the education field, where you can work as a special education assistant, giving you the opportunity to work with students who struggle with disabilities or have other unique needs. There are also some unique jobs that benefit from a behavioral analysis background. Since your schooling will provide you with communication and listening skills, behavioral analysts often make excellent motivators in positions like personal trainers and life coaches. The areas of focus among behavior analysts today are wide-ranging, they include everything from developmental disabilities and autism, to cultural psychology, clinical psychology, and verbal behavior.
Job Security
As diagnostic criteria have improved, specialists have become more adept at spotting conditions that benefit from the skills of a behavioral analyst. This is especially true in child patients. For example, rising autism diagnosis statistics are directly linked to better diagnosis tools. What this reveals is that the need for behavioral analysts is not only great, but also likely to rise as psychologists develop more accurate testing models. Coupled with the ability to move laterally between industries, a behavioral analysis degree and career path is a safe bet in terms of job security.
Salary Statistics
While wages obviously vary based on factors like region and specific niche, in general behavioral analysts can expect a comfortable lifestyle, especially since the industry as a whole is growing. On average, analysts who are board-certified may start at around $55,000 yearly, with plenty of room to grow should you go into practice on your own. The highest earners can easily earn upwards of $80,000.
The Education Experience
Like other healthcare professions, behavioral analysis falls under a governing body for licensing to practice, in this case the Behavior Analyst Certification Board. Practicing analysts are required by many employers to have at least a master’s degree, though it’s possible to find employment with only a bachelor’s. There is some choice in terms of your academic track, with applied behavior analysis, psychology, or education programs all viable options. Much of the coursework will focus both on improving your observational and analytical skills, with additional attention to enhancing your ability to listen and communicate effectively since you’ll be working with patients. It’s also wise to include an internship during your undergrad years as this will prepare you for the fieldwork needed to become board certified.
It’s possible to complete a Nursing or other related degree path alongside your main focus to give yourself an extra edge in a healthcare setting, which is the top industry for behavioral analysts at 46 percent of job market postings. Behavioral analysts often make excellent health coaches or nutrition experts because of their interpersonal skills, so pairing your degree with certifications related to health or fitness can open up additional opportunities.
Running parallel degrees sounds intimidating, but if you schedule intelligently or take something like an online nursing MSN programs you should be able to finish both programs in the same amount of time as one, or perhaps with an extra semester. Consider doubling up for a boost to your resume and improve your chances of finding a position.
A Rewarding Experience
Regardless of which industry you chose, working as a behavioral analyst is sure to be a rewarding experience. You’ll have a chance to employ your interpersonal skills to work with individuals in need of guidance and an attentive ear. When coupled with job security and a reasonable salary, behavioral analysis is a field rich with opportunity for patient and dedicated individuals.
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