Comparing 3 BCBA offers—pay, workload, and unpaid admin
I’d appreciate feedback on three offers. My preference is remote or hybrid with minimal travel; I’m also open to onsite work close to home. I generally don’t want evenings/weekends, except occasionally and remotely.
I don’t mind administrative work—I'm happy to do it if it’s paid. A separate reasonable rate, even half the billable rate, could work. Otherwise, I want the company handling it rather than expecting substantial unpaid labor.
- Salaried, remote
- $99k for 40 hours/week: minimum 30 billable, up to 10 nonbillable.
- About 12 accrued PTO days/year; unclear whether sick leave/holidays are separate or whether leave reduces the billing target.
- Health/dental/vision, 401(k), $600 CEUs, discretionary bonuses; benefit costs/match unspecified.
- Evening coverage expected; scheduling window extends to 10 p.m. in my time zone, though actual hours aren’t established.
- Cancellations apparently need to be made up, potentially by arranging to cover colleagues’ clients.
- More potential access to colleagues/support staff, but admin responsibilities are vague. Remote status discussed but not expressly in the offer.
- Remote contractor
- $75/billable hour → $80 at 100 hours → $85 at 300 hours.
- About 25 billable hours/week expected. Owner says cases are available; paid volume isn’t guaranteed.
- Authorized direct and indirect clinical work paid. Certain required supervision can be split 50/50 direct/indirect—not a promise that half the entire workload is indirect.
- Requires another state license; reimbursement offered, plus credentialing assistance. Own liability insurance required.
- Quarterly time-off planning; agreement allows termination without notice.
- No paid leave/benefits. Nonbillable admin and cancellation compensation unclear.
- Contractor, some onsite
- $100/billable hour, averaging at least 25/week when sufficient work is available.
- Mainly evening/weekend cases. Some telehealth, but onsite requirements at a location about an hour away in heavy traffic—the biggest practical drawback.
- No cancellation pay, although outside-control cancellations don’t count against the target.
- Rate includes documentation, meetings, treatment planning, and assigned student-analyst supervision; no separate admin compensation unless negotiated.
- Also requires another state license and own liability insurance.
- Planned time off requires five business days’ notice when practicable and approval; 30-day termination notice.
- Possible repayment of third-party credentialing costs if leaving or terminated for cause within six months, with no stated cap.
For context, my current temp role pays $60/hour for all 40 working hours, and my previous salaried role in another field paid about $106k with better leave.
I’m weighing the salaried role’s potential team support and paid nonbillable time against its high billing target, versus the contractors’ rates after accounting for unpaid work and cancellations. Which looks strongest in practice, and what would you prioritize negotiating? I’m considering $110k, better PTO, and a lower billable target for the salaried offer, and maybe #2 as well. Any feedback appreciated.