Jobs and career pathways
BCBA Behavior Analyst jobs, salary benchmarks, and career pathways
BCBA is not tracked as a standalone occupation by BLS, so the row below uses the closest published category as a directional benchmark rather than an exact match.
Updated October 7, 2026
Where this exam tends to lead
These roles centre on related jobs and career pathways. The role targets below are the main search patterns this jobs page is built around.
This page is built around related job searches now, with room for richer direct-ingestion job feeds later.
Behavior analysis salary benchmark
BCBA is not tracked as a standalone occupation by BLS, so the row below uses the closest published category as a directional benchmark rather than an exact match.
| Role / benchmark | Pay | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Psychologists (closest published category) | $99,110 median annual wage | May 2025 figure. BLS does not publish a separate BCBA category, so treat this as directional. Employment in the category is projected to grow 6% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists |
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Official BCBA examination facts
| Fact | Current detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Exam length | 4 hours, 185 multiple-choice questions | BCBA Handbook |
| Scored vs unscored | 175 scored questions and 10 unscored questions, not distinguishable during the exam | BCBA Handbook |
| Question format | Each question has 4 possible answers and only 1 correct answer | BCBA Handbook |
| Content outline | 104 tasks organized into 9 content areas, assessed against the Test Content Outline (6th ed.) | BCBA Handbook |
| How the 175 scored questions divide | Behavior-Change Procedures 25 (14%), Concepts and Principles 24 (14%), Behavior Assessment 23 (13%), Ethical and Professional Issues 22 (13%), Measurement, Data Display, and Interpretation 21 (12%), Selecting and Implementing Interventions 20 (11%), Personnel Supervision and Management 19 (11%), Experimental Design 13 (7%), Behaviorism and Philosophical Foundations 8 (5%) | BCBA Handbook examination outline |
| How it is scored | All questions are equally weighted and your result is based on overall performance, not performance in each content area | BCBA Handbook |
| Certification application fee | $245 | BCBA Handbook |
| Examination appointment fee | $125, collected by Pearson VUE at the time of scheduling | BCBA Handbook |
| Examination retake application | $140, plus another $125 appointment fee | BCBA Handbook |
| Attempt limit | Up to 8 attempts within the 2-year authorization period that begins when your application is approved, with at least 30 days between appointments | BCBA Handbook |
| Cancellation and rescheduling | $0 at 31 days or more before the appointment, $59 from 30 days to 5 days, $69 from 5 days to 48 hours. Inside 48 hours you cannot cancel or reschedule and no refund is issued | BCBA Handbook |
| Language and results | Offered in English only; results are provided on site immediately upon completion | BCBA Handbook |
| 2027 pathway deadline | From January 1, 2027 only Pathways 1 and 2 remain. To certify under Pathway 3 or 4 you must apply and meet every requirement before that date. | BACB 2027 transition guidance |
| BCBA-D | A designation for BCBAs with doctoral training in behavior analysis. It is not a separate certification and grants no privileges above or beyond BCBA certification | BCBA Handbook |
Fetched job listings
These listings come from the latest automated jobs update run. If a board blocks or limits retrieval, use the live search links above.
6 listings captured
The Muse
Store Associate
CVS Health
Litchfield, CT
The Muse
(USA) Tire and Battery Service Advisor
Walmart
Eau Claire, WI
The Muse
Café Associate
Walmart
Clive, IA
The Muse
Maintenance Custodian Associate
Walmart
Ellicott City, MD
The Muse
Retail Customer Service Associate
Walmart
El Paso, TX
The Muse
PRODUCE/CLERK
Kroger
Bowling Green, OH
Official resources
The authoritative source for exam format, fees, retake rules, and eligibility. Read it before paying anything.
Entry point for eligibility pathways and application procedures.
States plainly that anyone applying under Pathway 3 or 4 must do so, and meet all requirements, before January 1, 2027.
External resources and benchmarks
Closest published wage category for behavior-analytic practice.
Questions people ask before choosing this path
Is BCBA-D a higher certification than BCBA?
No. The BACB is explicit that BCBA-D is a designation for BCBAs with doctoral training, not a separate certification, and that it does not grant privileges above or beyond BCBA certification.
How long is the BCBA exam?
Four hours. That allocation includes reviewing the terms and conditions, the exam navigation tutorial, and the load-time prompt, so the full four hours is not available for questions alone. Breaks are taken on your own time and the clock does not stop.
How much does the BCBA exam cost in total?
A first attempt costs $370: a $245 certification application paid to the BACB plus a $125 examination appointment fee collected by Pearson VUE at scheduling. A retake costs a further $265, made up of a $140 retake application and another $125 appointment fee.
What happens to Pathways 3 and 4 in 2027?
From January 1, 2027 there will be only two pathways to BCBA certification: Pathway 1 (accredited or recognized degree program) and Pathway 2 (behavior-analytic coursework). Anyone intending to certify under Pathway 3 or Pathway 4 must apply and meet every requirement before that date.