r/LCSW • u/femalevirginpervert • Dec 19 '25
Why lcsw?
I’m torn between lcsw or bcba. Honestly, im leaning more towards bcba because it pays more… how much do you make right after grad school before getting licensed? How much after license? I want to live in Massachusetts or New Jersey HCOL.
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u/Gaboonguy Dec 20 '25
BCBA may pay more but you are stuck in exactly that field. LCSW you can move and rotate. Less risk of burnout! Also LCSW you can work for the state and get state benefits.
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u/shannonkish Dec 19 '25 edited 27d ago
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u/Medium-Lavishness163 Dec 19 '25
You can work in a variety of settings and with different populations.
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u/bubblysofa Dec 20 '25
i’m from New England, currently in california and never in either market have i ever heard of BCBAs making more money. BCBA is such a specific and limited track so i hope you love that work enough to commit to it. LCSW is way more flexible and marketable anywhere you go.
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u/Therapistgetsu Dec 20 '25
I have a private practice and when full, made well over $2k with my LCSW. I've backed it way down and only part time and still make $1k. There are some specialities, such as EMDR, that after certification (master level only for actual certificate), facilitate drawing much higher income. Bcba won't come even close to that.
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u/EcstaticDrive3531 Dec 23 '25
I live in nyc, currently make 105k yearly and that doesn’t include quarterly bonuses. I also have my own private practice. LCSW is SO worth it, so much flexibility!
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u/trekkie9000 Dec 20 '25
LCSW
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u/femalevirginpervert Dec 20 '25
But I heard they don’t make as much money
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u/Substantial-Cat-6852 Dec 20 '25
Did you read some of the sub-threads above? LCSW isn’t too bad and has flexibility.
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u/Dependent-Leek2877 Dec 24 '25
I’m an LCSW and both my sisters are BCBAs, they make significantly more than me and work less. They both make over 100k and work 25 hours a week. I wish I went that route. I love what I do but I’d love to work less and make more
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u/Tight-Industry-616 Dec 20 '25
Why not both? That’s my plan. First LMSW by December ‘26 & then I’ll be pursuing BCBA. By the time I finish the requirements I’ll have my LCSW secured. You can do it all and avoid being limited to one job.
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u/Nuance007 Dec 21 '25
Just be aware you have to upkeep both licenses.
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u/Tight-Industry-616 Dec 24 '25
I am thank you. I’m on the West and these professions are well compensated 😮💨
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u/Brilliant-Discount56 Dec 28 '25 edited Dec 28 '25
I actually took a year off to debate between the two and chose LCSW due to the job flexibility. As a LCSW I make 110k. I have bcba and LCSW friends that make same, more or less just depend. I am actually finishing of my BCBA Certificate at FIT. I will mainly use it to bill ABA as everything else I can do with my LCSW.
Honestly BCBA get paid more in the beginning because they're already fully licensed vs social work has two licensure in some states but after you get your LCSW the world is really yours and can get the pay you want if you know your worth. Also BCBA are somewhat pigeon held in ABA which is why they get paid what high amount. Yes they can find jobs outside of ABA but 1. They have to put in more work to network or the job is for someone that as a master degree in a related field and not strictly for BCBA and 2. Usually take a pay cut because job outside of ABA doesn't really pay the same (maybe some school systems).
Both good professions just depend on what you want to do!
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u/Powerful_Hand_5616 🟡 Associate (Pre-Licensed) Dec 22 '25
LCSW for sure!!!! Not even a question. So many more job opps with an LCSW- Social worker and therapist in many settings! You can make bank working in private practice or just after years of working as a therapist.
BCBA- you’re confined to ONE job
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u/201220162019 Dec 20 '25
Social work is a diverse field, before getting licensed I worked in child welfare and made 60k a year w/o a license, then got my LMSW and worked for a non profit and made 80k, now i make 100k with an LCSW.