Butterfly Effects logo
Butterfly Effects
La Mesa, California

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA)

BCBAFull-Time

Listed compensation

$85k–$95kbase · + up to $12k bonus

The week · per this posting · weekdays assumed

Ask the employer about call expectations, weekend coverage, nights and shift pattern and time off.

Posted 20m ago · Verified live

Job Description

Join Butterfly Effects - Where BCBAs Lead

At Butterfly Effects, we're not just another ABA therapy provider - we're a BCBA-led organization dedicated to empowering you with unmatched support, professional growth, and a family-centric approach. Led by Dr. Steve Woolf, PhD, BCBA-D (President) and Molly McGinnis, M. Ed., BCBA (Vice President of Clinical Services), we prioritize your success so you can focus on what matters; making a socially meaningful change in the lives of children and families.

Why BCBAs Choose Butterfly Effects

BCBA Leadership: BCBAs hold key roles across management and senior leadership. Your expertise shapes clinical practice and company direction, not just individual caseloads.

Ethical, High-Quality Standards: As a fully accredited BHCOE organization, we uphold BACB guidelines and prioritize meaningful supervision, family involvement, and evidence-based ABA. No rigid quotas.

On-the-Ground Support: Each market has a locally or regionally based clinical director available for real-time guidance and collaboration. You are never working in isolation.

Clinical Autonomy: Design customized treatment plans tailored to each client's needs, with full access to tools, resources, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Stable Growth Paths: Clear advancement to Assistant Regional Director, Center Director, and Regional Director as we expand nationwide.

Your Freedom: No non-compete clauses.

Compensation That Reflects Your Value

  • Our BCBAs earn above the national average. Here is what your total package looks like:
  • Base Salary: $85,000 - $95,000
  • Performance Bonus: Quarterly incentives up to $12,000 annually
  • Total Potential: Up to $107,000

Additional Benefits

  • PhD Support: University partnership discounts plus $2,000/year tuition support toward your doctorate.
  • Time Off: Generous PTO and paid holidays.
  • Health Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, supplemental coverage, and HSA options.
  • Retirement: 401(k) to build your future.

Professional Development & Clinical Community

We invest in your growth because better BCBAs produce better outcomes - for clients and for our organization.

Case Reviews: Monthly clinical case reviews with all peers and clinical leadership.

"PD Speaker Series": Internal CEU presentations led by thought leaders - experts you may only otherwise see at national conferences.

Mentorship: New or early-career BCBAs receive personalized guidance from experienced BCBA mentors.

Research & Publications: Our team has contributed to 15+ publications in journals including the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. Collaborate and present at national conferences.

CEU Funding: In-house CEUs annually, plus funding for external conferences, live events, and our annual Clinical Conference.

Your Role at Butterfly Effects

As a BCBA on our interdisciplinary team, you will:

  • Lead & Supervise: Oversee RBTs and BTs to ensure consistent, high-quality ABA service delivery.
  • Assess & Plan: Perform functional behavior assessments, develop individualized treatment goals, and create evidence-based intervention plans.
  • Empower Families: Lead monthly caregiver training sessions to build long-term family capacity.
  • Coordinate Care: Collaborate with therapists, educators, and other professionals for holistic client outcomes.

Qualifications

  • Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, Psychology, or a related field.
  • Active BCBA certification from the BACB.
  • Passion for working with children and families affected by autism spectrum disorder.
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills for interdisciplinary teams.
  • All experience levels welcome - we tailor opportunities to your career stage.

About Butterfly Effects

Since 2005, Butterfly Effects has transformed the lives of over 14,000 families through individualized ABA therapy. Our butterfly logo symbolizes love, rebirth, and metamorphosis - mirroring our commitment to helping children and families thrive.

We are co-founders of the National Coalition for Access to Autism Services (NCAAS) and the Louisiana Coalition for Access to Autism Services (LCAAS) - two nonprofits dedicated to expanding access to ABA regardless of socio-economic status.

At Butterfly Effects, you will find more than a job - you will find a mission. Visit butterflyeffects.com to learn more and apply.

Key Responsibilities

You will lead and supervise RBTs and BTs while performing functional behavior assessments to develop individualized treatment plans. Additionally, you will coordinate care with interdisciplinary teams and provide training to caregivers to support client outcomes.

Qualifications

Education
Master's degree (postgraduate degree)

Certifications

Board Certification

Key Skills

Treatment planningEvidence-based practiceCommunication skills

Applied Behavior Analysis Career Context

In California, the Applied Behavior Analysis weighted monthly median benchmark on WeekdayDoc is ~$93k (253 salary observations; 777 listings), vs ~$92k nationally (1,570 salary observations; 5,190 listings). Monthly aggregates cover 2026-02-01 through 2026-11-01; these are not the modal's selected comparable-job medians.

Of the 50 active Applied Behavior Analysis listings this role was benchmarked against, 56% are remote, 36% have no call, 64% require no weekends.

Applied Behavior Analysis by the numbers
MeasureThis jobMarket
Listed pay$85k–$95kApplied Behavior Analysis median $90k (middle half $88k–$94k)617 comparable listings, Nov 2026
California vs national$93k median in California$92k nationally (+1%)253 state / 1,570 national salary observations
Cost-of-living adjusted pay~$81k in purchasing powerCalifornia index 110.7 (US = 100)BEA Regional Price Parities (2024)
Applied Behavior Analysis listings in California326 active2,485 nationallylive on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Work settingon-sitepeers: 56% remote · 36% no call · 64% no weekends50 benchmarked listings
Sign-on & loan repaymentsign-on bonusCalifornia healthcare professional listings: 48% state a sign-on bonus (median $10k) · 5% offer loan repayment353 active listings, Nov 2026
New Applied Behavior Analysis listings1,191 in the last 30 days605 the 30 days before (+97%)U.S., first seen on WeekdayDoc, Nov 2026
Applied Behavior Analysis pay trend+1.6% vs prior quarter—through Oct 2026
Sources: WeekdayDoc live listing index, BEA Regional Price Parities (2024); as of Nov 2026. Same values as the Weekday Verdict and Market Insights on this page.

Top Behavior Analyst Jobs

47 matches · ranked by pay

Salary Distribution

47 jobs · 35 employers
15
<$95k
16
$95k-105k
6
$105k-115k
4
$115k-125k
6
$125k+

Annual compensation range

Benefits & Perks

46 jobs · 35 employers
401k / retirement match
85% this job
CME allowance
74% this job
Sign-on bonus
52% this job
Relocation assistance
22%
Loan repayment
13%

Share of similar jobs offering each benefit

#1

Clinical Director - BCBA

Atlanta Autism Center · Covington, Georgia

$110k-$130k
#2

Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) - Remote 10-99Contract

Advisa Care · Las Vegas, Nevada

$120k-$130k
#3

Clinical Supervisor II (BCBA)

$88k-$128k
#4

BCBA Clinical Director

$127k
+ 45 more · ranked by pay

Work-life snapshot

median 4.2this job 1.5
Below most Applied Behavior Analysis listings for work-life

Listing-based score, 0–10, across 2,411 comparable listings. Shaded area = the share scoring below this one.

  • On-site
Butterfly Effects logo

About Butterfly Effects

Individual and Family Services
Deerfield Beach, Florida
1,001-5,000 employees

Benefits & Perks

Base salary $85,000-$95,000
Quarterly performance bonus up to $12,000 annually
PhD tuition support $2,000/year
Generous PTO and paid holidays
Medical, dental, vision, life insurance, supplemental coverage, HSA
401(k)
In-house CEUs and external conference funding
Monthly clinical case reviews

Living in La Mesa

Typical 3-bedroom home value
$888k≈ 10.4× annual pay
Typical market rent
$2,627/mo≈ 37% of gross pay
Residents’ average commute
24 min
Metro price indexU.S. average = 100
111.9
State income tax
Up to 13.3%
Sources & methodology

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

BEA 2024 · San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro prices. Housing figures are city-level.

Ratios use this listing’s gross annual pay. Not a cost-of-living guarantee.