Action Behavior Centers logo
Action Behavior Centers
Moline, Illinois, United States

Child Autism Therapist (Entry-Level)

Counselor / TherapistNo weekendsNo nightsFull-Time

Listed compensation

$17.05-$28/hr

The week · per this posting · Monday – FridayWeekdays only

Ask the employer about the work setting, call expectations and time off.

Posted 16m ago · Verified live

Job Description

  • Make a Difference Every Day: Action Behavior Centers hires caring people to help children with autism build communication, social, and independent skills.
  • Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm (predictable daytime hours - no nights). Optional Saturdays available based on patient needs
  • Position Type: Full-Time
  • Location: 565 Lakeview Pkwy suite 110, Vernon Hills, IL 60061
  • Start Date: Immediate openings available
  • Hiring Quickly: We typically respond to applications within 24 hours, so please keep an eye on your phone and email for interview scheduling.
  • Training: No experience necessary. We provide paid training and fully cover your Registered Behavior Technician (RBT) certification.
  • Experience That’s a PLUS (not required): Childcare experience such as nanny, babysitter, preschool teacher, or tutor. Mental health roles such as QMHP or behavioral health technician. Camp counselors, paraprofessionals, caregivers, and life skills assistants. Psychology, Child Development, Education, or any Health Sciences degree.

Pay (determined by education & previous ABA experience)

  • High School / Associate’s Degree: $17.05–$23.50 per hour
  • Bachelor’s Degree: $17.50–$27 per hour
  • Master’s Degree: $19–$28 per hour
  • Fun Fact: You’ll receive your first raise after earning your RBT certification!

What You’ll Be Doing: You’ll work one-on-one with children ages 18 months to 8 years using play-based ABA therapy. In this role, you will:

  • Follow personalized treatment plans and collect simple session data
  • Help children learn through play, movement, reading, games, and hands-on activities
  • Stay active and engaged throughout therapy sessions
  • Maintain a clean, organized, and safe therapy environment
  • Collaborate with a supportive team focused on helping kids grow and succeed
  • Curious? Watch a Behavior Technician at work! youtu. be

Job Requirements

  • At least 18 years old
  • High school diploma
  • Ability to lift up to 30 lbs
  • Comfortable sitting, standing, crouching, and getting on/off the floor frequently
  • Able to maintain an active pace while working with young children
  • Reliable attendance and punctuality
  • Willingness to complete paid RBT certification within 20 days of hire
  • Team mindset: may occasionally help support a nearby ABC clinic if additional coverage is needed

Why Candidates Choose ABC

  • Guaranteed full-time hours
  • Paid training + fully covered RBT certification
  • Raises every 6 months with clear growth goals
  • Health insurance covered at 90%
  • Dental and Vision benefits
  • 10 paid holidays, 10 PTO days, and 2 flex days
  • Free lunch every Friday
  • DoorDash DashPass and Calm app provided
  • Student loan repayment support
  • Supportive, team-focused work environment

Growth Opportunities: At Action Behavior Centers, we are committed to helping our team members grow. Many Behavior Therapists advance into roles such as: Clinical Administrators, Operations Managers, and Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA)

Check Out Our Community & Culture

Instagram: instagram.com

Facebook: facebook.com

A Quick Note: Please do not reach out to clinic locations directly regarding your application status, as teams are busy supporting clients and families.

ABC is an equal opportunity employer.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws, including the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA). We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

@Copyright 2026

Key Responsibilities

You will work one-on-one with children using play-based ABA therapy to build communication, social, and independent skills. Responsibilities include following personalized treatment plans, collecting session data, and maintaining a safe, organized therapy environment.

Requirements

Candidates must be at least 18 years old with a high school diploma and the ability to lift up to 30 lbs. You must be comfortable with physical activity and willing to complete paid RBT certification within 20 days of hire.

Qualifications

Education
Professional certificate or licensure

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Social skillsData collectionTreatment planningPlay-based therapyPatient careTeam collaborationActive listeningReliability

Work-Life Balance Analysis

WeekdayDoc's proprietary algorithm rates Child Autism Therapist (Entry-Level) at Action Behavior Centers a 6.4 out of 10 for work-life balance — classified as good. This places the position in the Above average in Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) — ranked against 7,459 active Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings on WeekdayDoc. Contributing factors include no weekend requirements, no night shifts.

Counselor Career Context

Action Behavior Centers holds silver-tier status on WeekdayDoc's Top Employers work-life index, composite score 70/100, 301 active listings.

Of the 50 active Mental Health Therapy listings this role was benchmarked against, 58% are remote, 44% have no call, 66% require no weekends.

Mental Health Therapy by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Work-life score6.4 / 10 · above average in mental health therapy (counseling)ranked against 7,459 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listingslisting-based score, 0–10
Listed pay$35k–$58kMental Health Therapy median $58k (middle half $51k–$73k)32 comparable listings, Nov 2026
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$47k in purchasing powerIllinois index 100.0 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Mental Health Therapy listings in Illinois338 active7,534 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 58% remote · 44% no call · 66% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentloan repaymentIllinois counselor listings (all specialties): 14% state a sign-on bonus (median $3k) · 19% offer loan repayment551 active listings, Nov 2026
New Mental Health Therapy listings2,575 in the last 30 days1,373 the 30 days before (+88%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Action Behavior Centerssilver tier, 70/100Top Employers work-life index301 active listings
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index (7,459 Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings), Top Employers work-life index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Counselor Jobs

42 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

42 jobs · 29 employers
16
<$75k
11
$75k-95k
6
$95k-115k
9
$115k-135k

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

36 jobs · 29 employers
401k / retirement match
89%
CME allowance
42%
Sign-on bonus
25%
PSLF eligible
14%
Loan repayment
11% this job

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT, LPC, LCSW)

LifeStance Health · Brookfield, Wisconsin

$92k-$125k
#2

Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist (LMFT)

Gotham Enterprises · Santa Ana, California

$115k-$120k
#3

Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMFT, LMHC, LCSW)

$115k-$120k
#4

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

$115k-$120k
+ 40 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 6.0this job 6.4
Better work-life than 60% of Mental Health Therapy (Counseling) listings

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 7,459 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • No weekends
  • No nights
Action Behavior Centers logo

About Action Behavior Centers

Mental Health Care
Austin, Texas
5,001-10,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Paid training
RBT certification covered
Raises every 6 months
Health insurance covered at 90%
Dental and Vision benefits
10 paid holidays
10 PTO days
2 flex days

Living in Moline

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$153k
Typical market rent
$1,090/mo
Residents’ average commute
18 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
89.1
State income tax
Up to 5%
Sources & methodology

Sources: Zillow home values (Sep 2026), Zillow market rents (Sep 2026), U.S. Census ACS 2024 five-year.

BEA 2024 · Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

City-level figures. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.