Help negotiating pay

I have an interview in a couple days for an entry level RBT position at a company where I’ll get a dollar raise after I complete the 40 hours and exam. The pay range is $23-28/hour. This is the highest paying company in my area right now.

I’ve been an Early Childhood Educator for 15 years including work in inclusion and special education classrooms, as well as working along side RBT’s and other therapists. I am no stranger to challenging behavior, communicating with families and teachers, creating lesson plans to meet developmental goals, and observing and documenting (not in the same context exactly as RBT work but adjacent maybe?). I have 35 units in ECE but do not have a degree.

So, during my last phone interview with the recruiter I was told that the clinical team said I would fall around $23.50-$24/hour. I told her that seems low considering my years of experience in ECE. She said that would be something to discuss during my next interview with someone from the clinical team.

Help me plead my case for at least $24.50.
Or, and I’m open to honest feedback, am I asking for too much?