Behavioral Therapy Salary in Nevada

Fortunately, Nevada is one of the more lucrative states in which to practice behavioral therapy. Of course, this doesn’t necessarily mean that you’ll be rich as a behavioral therapist. The truth is that even in this highly paid state, behavioral therapy salaries vary significantly from one person to another. The amount of salary that each person will make is dependent on several different factors such as the level of education the person has, the Nevada City the person practices in, how long he or she has been working in behavioral therapy, any certifications the person has, the amount of time spent with a particular job or at a particular position, and many others. Ultimately, though, it is important to note that one should never go into behavioral therapy just because it is lucrative. This is an extremely demanding job and can take an emotional toll on those whose heart isn’t in it or who are doing it for the wrong reasons. You should go into behavioral therapy because you have a desire to help people, not because the money is good.

With that said, behavioral therapists in Nevada typically make, on average, anywhere from $38,000 to $72,000 per year. Obviously, this is quite a large disparity between salaries, and everyone would, of course, like to make toward the higher end of that spectrum. The good news is that there are several things you can do to increase the likelihood of earning a higher salary in the behavioral therapy field.

First and foremost, education is key! Nine times out of ten, a person with a higher level of  education doing the exact same job as a person with a lower level of education will make more money, even if the person with the lower level of education has more years of experience or has been with the company longer. That might not seem fair, but a higher level of education means a higher level of expertise with the subject and, thus, a higher pay. If you’re already practicing as a behavioral therapist, then you most likely have a master’s degree. Taking it up the next level to a PhD is a smart option to earn more money. If you’re not willing to make that kind of commitment, however, you can opt for a certification from a nationally recognized organization or a certification program from a local or online accredited university. In some cases, your employer may even finance all or part of your education, so be sure to ask about this.

As mentioned earlier, the city in which you live can play a huge part in determining your salary. Generally speaking, larger cities pay higher salaries, but this is usually due mostly to the fact that larger cities have a higher cost of living to make up for. Thus, don’t pick a city in which to work based on its size. Instead, do your research to find out which cities have the most need for behavioral therapists who work in your particular professional capacity. The more need a particular location has, the more money they are likely going to pay you to fill it!

Also, remember that staying power can go a long way in increasing your salary! The longer you stay with a particular company, the more money you’ll make each year. What’s more, you’ll also open yourself up to opportunities for advancements and promotions which can, of course, lead to better pay. You should also aim to stay with the same job title and general job description for as long as possible. While many people love the vast amount of flexibility the field offers, it’s better for you to be a master of one area than a jack of all trades!