Behavior Analysts: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of behavior analysts about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for behavior analysts to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of behavior analysts expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for behavior analysts.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Behavior Analysts?
Do behavior analysts need a degree? What kind of experience do behavior analysts typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for behavior analysts to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Behavior Analysts
Jobs Postings for Behavior Analysts By Education
- Master's degree: 15,110 (38%)
- No Education Listed: 11,820 (30%)
- Bachelor's degree: 6,535 (16%)
- High School or GED: 4,841 (12%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 1,351 (3%)
A master's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of behavior analysts. According to job data, a master's degree was required for 38% of positions. In 30% of job listings no education level was listed and in 16% of postings a bachelor's degree was required.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Behavior Analysts
Jobs Postings for Behavior Analysts By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 6,224 (41%)
- 2-3 Years: 7,268 (48%)
- 4-6 Years: 1,320 (9%)
- 7-9 Years: 82 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 272 (2%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for behavior analysts. In 48% of job postings for Behavior Analysts, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 41% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 9% of job postings for behavior analysts.
What Kind of Degree Do Behavior Analysts Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for behavior analysts, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 4 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective behavior analysts, and in 2021 a total of 57,186 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective behavior analysts.
Top Degree Programs for Behavior Analysts
Top 5 Degree Programs for Behavior Analysts (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 56,801 |
| Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling. | 328 |
| Executive/Career Coaching. | 57 |
| Thanatology. | 0 |
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Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Behavior Analysts
Leverage advances in positive psychology and executive coaching to impact the development of individuals, teams, and communities.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
What Skills Do Behavior Analysts Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by behavior analysts to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for behavior analysts, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Behavior Analysts
Based on 35,534 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Behavior Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Planning | 9,702 | 27% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 9,622 | 27% |
| Psychology | 9,464 | 27% |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 7,326 | 21% |
| Functional Behavior Assessment | 5,539 | 16% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Behavior Analysts
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 11,340 | 32% |
| Leadership | 5,559 | 16% |
| Research | 4,482 | 13% |
| Management | 4,128 | 12% |
| Planning | 4,128 | 12% |
Based on 35,534 job postings related to behavior analysts, treatment planning was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 27% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for autism spectrum disorders, psychology, applied behavior analysis, functional behavior assessment and special education were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for behavior analysts, followed by leadership, research, management, planning and mentorship.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment Planning | 9,702 | 27% |
| Autism Spectrum Disorders | 9,622 | 27% |
| Psychology | 9,464 | 27% |
| Applied Behavior Analysis | 7,326 | 21% |
| Functional Behavior Assessment | 5,539 | 16% |
| Special Education | 4,641 | 13% |
| Data Collection | 3,787 | 11% |
| Intervention Plans | 3,554 | 10% |
| Social Work | 3,554 | 10% |
| Developmental Disabilities | 3,429 | 10% |
| Visual Basic (Programming Language) | 3,111 | 9% |
| Individualized Education Programs (IEP) | 3,042 | 9% |
| Working With Children | 2,991 | 8% |
| Disabilities | 2,855 | 8% |
| Billing | 2,764 | 8% |
| Mental Health | 2,337 | 7% |
| Deficits | 2,234 | 6% |
| Caregiving | 2,078 | 6% |
| Behavior Management | 2,047 | 6% |
| Data Analysis | 2,046 | 6% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 11,340 | 32% |
| Leadership | 5,559 | 16% |
| Research | 4,482 | 13% |
| Management | 4,128 | 12% |
| Planning | 4,128 | 12% |
| Mentorship | 3,811 | 11% |
| Teaching | 3,712 | 10% |
| Writing | 3,686 | 10% |
| Progress Reporting | 3,678 | 10% |
| Ethical Standards And Conduct | 3,401 | 10% |
| Time Management | 3,031 | 9% |
| Coaching | 2,925 | 8% |
| Problem Solving | 2,876 | 8% |
| Operations | 2,694 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 2,672 | 8% |
| Detail Oriented | 2,469 | 7% |
| Customer Service | 2,325 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 2,234 | 6% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 2,190 | 6% |
| Microsoft Excel | 2,169 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about behavior analysts? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for behavior analysts.
What do behavior analysts do?
How much do behavior analysts make?
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