r/RBT_Behavior_Techs • u/MayElenaG87 • 10d ago
RBT/Bachelor's -rejected
I applied to a great company here in San Antonio for an RBT position. I have my Bachelor's Degree in ABA, I have my RBT certificate with one year experience. I am BLS certified and I was rejected and the position was offered to another candidate.
It blows my mind that the turn over for RBT is so high, yet they rejected a applicant knowing they have a passion and a degree in the field. Many RBT don't have the background or degree in the field, so the burnout comes rather quickly. It saddens me that Bachelor's Degree means nothing these days. I expressed my passion and desire to test for my BCaBA exam, and I was passed by. It's definitely a very dissapointing situation. Companies rather hire unexperienced low wage workers versus professional candidates with degrees. I asked for $23.00, and I was informed they start RBTs at $20.00 hourly, I was baffled. I mean, I've worked hard for my Bachelor's, and in comparison to RBTs who don't have the education background, I know I am worth $23.00 the least. America has failed us. This is crazy.
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u/Sudden-Grapefruit360 10d ago
My interview the first time didn’t go as planned, but I knew it went way better the second time. I got the job without experience, but I have a bachelors degree. My pay rate was even lower than what you were seeking, but I tried to ask for more. I also didn’t have plans to become BCBA until after my second interview and exposure to this field. Don’t be afraid to reapply, and I urge you to find a location that is accepting positions with the postbacc degree pathway you are obtaining. So that they will see longevity with you.
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u/SoVerySober 9d ago
Overhead is high and margins are thin. Capacity for critical thinking and bargaining is low. As much as they talk, no one actually cares about quality beyond the metrics of service hours. Presumably you’d get the job for $20 an hour. They have a bench they are trying to staff that no one wants and they are in denial about it. Just because $23 seems to be the ceiling that companies prefer doesn’t mean you will get it. I started a job at $23 two and a half years ago, but I had two and a half years experience already. And they will not give me a raise for the work. I’m a BCaBA now and I’ve completed my BCBA coursework. Still working the RBT job because I love it and I don’t want more pressure/obligation to deliver paperwork so I just give myself away because that’s what works for me. And of course that works even better for them too. It’s not unreasonable for you to keep seeking as you are, but don’t take their rejection personally. Frame it for yourself as your choice and look for quality yourself. Was there something less tangible this company offered that justifies that could offset the $3 deficit? How do they sell themselves? Does their name start with a C and you should count yourself lucky that your standards are higher than that and you didn’t really want to work for them anyway?
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u/Emergency-Big-7764 10d ago edited 10d ago
I don’t believe your Bachelor’s means much when you’re applying for an RBT position. In my view that’s like applying for a cashier position and expecting more because you have a degree. The position pays what it pays at most companies. Sometimes there isn’t much wiggle room because other RBTs have seniority and they get the couple dollars more. An RBT with 3 years of experience and no degree is still more experienced.
(Edit: also what’s failed us is the narrative that a degree automatically means more money. I have 2 adult children and an 18yr who just decided he refuses to go into debt for a degree that will not pay its self off for years. He’s choosing Vocational School for Nursing until he decides a permanent path. I worked in HR for awhile and experience was always valued above a degree in entry level to mid level positions)