Marriage and Family Therapists in the United States earn an average yearly salary of $56,570, with the best-paid 25% making $75,220. The national average salary for counselors is $33,537 per year, but can vary depending on their area of specialization. In Texas, the average annual salary for a Marriage and Family Therapist job is from $99,690 to $122,228 per year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that there are just over 32,000 professionals working as marriage and family counselors in the United States, with the mean wage among those professionals being $48,600 a year or $23.37 an hour. The top 10% of those working in this field earn more than $80,000 a year. A licensed marriage and family therapist is a mental health practitioner with a master’s degree or doctoral degree as well as specialized training that includes at least two years or 3,000 hours.
The average annual salary for a Marriage and Family Therapist in the United States is $68,195/year, with the highest concentration of jobs in California, New Jersey, Minnesota, Utah, and Oklahoma. The highest average annual salary for marriage and family therapists is found in Utah ($86,490), rounded out by New York.
Marriage and family therapists can earn average salaries between $33,140 – $92,930 based on experience and domain knowledge. National estimates for hourly wages range from $ 18.79 to $ 28.13, while annual wages range from $ 39,090 to $ 58,510.
In summary, marriage and family therapists in the United States earn an average yearly salary of $56,570, with the best-paid 25% making $75,220.
📹 How Much Do Counselors Actually Make?
Earning $100000 per year as a counselor, therapist, or psychologist in private practice is the goal for many, but how realistic is it, …
What is the hardest job in the world mentally?
The most stressful jobs are: firefighter, social worker, broadcaster, newspaper reporter, emergency dispatcher, mental health counselor, anesthesiologist, and ER nurse. Some jobs are more stressful than others. The world of work has changed a lot in recent years. New jobs have been created, while old ones have been eliminated. The pandemic and remote work have changed how we experience stress in the workplace. Jobs in the military and public safety are very stressful. Roles that allow for less interaction or more positive interactions are often less stressful. Read on for our lists of the most and least stressful jobs, plus tips for managing stress at work. In a 2023 APA survey, 77% of workers said they had experienced work-related stress in the last month.
What is the highest paid job in mental health?
Here are 10 of the highest-paying jobs in mental health: Mental health technician. … School psychologist. Registered nurse. … Psychology professor. … Clinical psychologist. Psychiatric nurse. … Industrial psychologist. Psychiatrist.
- Finding a job
- 10 of the Highest-Paying Jobs in Psychology
Psychology offers many career paths and high salaries. The median wage of psychologists is $81,040 a year, which is 77% higher than the median wage for all occupations. Not every job in psychology requires a doctorate. A mental health technician needs just an associate degree to practice. To become a psychiatrist, psychologist, or psychiatric nurse, you’ll need at least a bachelor’s degree. These roles usually pay well. This article explains why you might want to work in psychology and lists the highest-paying jobs in the field. Highest-paying psychology jobs. Here are 11 high-paying jobs in mental health. For the latest salary info from Indeed or the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, click on the salary link for each job title below. While some psychology roles don’t require a doctoral degree, many do. To start your career in psychology, you need to major in psychology. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, psychology majors are among the most popular undergraduate majors and have remained steady over the past 10 years. In 2019-2020, about 6% of bachelor’s degrees were in psychology. Here are 10 of the highest-paying jobs in mental health.
Who is a famous marriage counselor?
Dr. John Gottman is a world-renowned expert on marital stability and divorce prediction. He has conducted 50 years of research with thousands of couples. John Gottman is world-renowned for his work on marital stability and divorce prediction. He has conducted 50 years of research with thousands of couples. His work on marriage and parenting has earned him many awards.
- Four National Institute of Mental Health Research Scientist Awards
- The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy Distinguished Research Scientist Award
- The American Family Therapy Academy Award for Most Distinguished Contributor to Family Systems Research
- The American Psychological Association Division of Family Psychology, Presidential Citation for Outstanding Lifetime Research Contribution
- The National Council of Family Relations, 1994 Burgess Award for Outstanding Career in Theory and Research
Dr. Gottman was one of the Top 10 Most Influential Therapists of the past quarter-century by the Psychotherapy Networker. He has written over 200 academic articles and more than 40 books, including The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work and What Makes Love Last. He has written many books on relationships, including Essential Conversations for a Lifetime of Love, The Relationship Cure, Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, and Raising An Emotionally Intelligent Child. Dr. Gottman has appeared on Good Morning America, Today, CBS Morning News, and Oprah. He has also written for The New York Times, Ladies Home Journal, Redbook, Glamour, Woman’s Day, People, Self, Reader’s Digest, and Psychology Today.
Where do family therapists make the most money?
Which states pay the most for LMFTs? Hawaii: $78,260. Alaska: $72,900. California: $69,590. New Jersey: $68,600. Connecticut: $64,600. An LMFT is a mental health professional trained to diagnose and treat individuals, couples, and families struggling with mental health and relationship issues. Learn more about becoming an LMFT. The median annual salary for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist is $51,340. Hawaii: $78,260; Alaska: $72,900; California: $69,590; New Jersey: $68,600; Connecticut: $64,600.
How to become a licensed marriage and family therapist in Texas?
To become an LMFT Associate in Texas, you must have a graduate degree in Marriage and Family Therapy or a related field from an accredited program and pass the national licensing exam. Can I treat clients in other states or countries? A Texas license only lets you practice in Texas. If you have a client in another state or country, you may have to meet the practice requirements of both Texas and the other state or country. You’ll need to contact the other state or country to see if you can provide services there with your Texas license. I’m licensed in another state and my client is in Texas. Do I need a Texas license to continue services?
How much do marriage and family counselors make in Texas?
The average salary for a licensed marriage and family therapist in Texas is $43,981. The range is $38,388 to $50,051. How much do Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists make in Texas? The average Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist salary in Texas is $44,069 as of April 24, 2024. The range is $38,467 to $50,153. Salaries vary by city and other factors, including education, certifications, skills, and experience.
Select a city to view salary and bonus information for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists.
Part-time positions available for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. Are you passionate about helping couples and families? We are…
What is a therapist salary in Texas?
The average therapist salary in Texas is $83,674 per year. Entry-level positions start at $65,936 per year, while experienced workers make up to $114,354 per year. The average therapist salary in Texas is $78,780 per year or $37.88 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $60,000 per year, while experienced workers make up to $108,115 per year. Therapist: Occupational Therapist. A small town nursing facility is looking for an occupational therapist to join their therapy program. We’re looking for an SLP.
Rehab and/or acute hospital experience. Bilingual (English & Spanish) NDT or brain injury certifications. Specialty unit certifications required. (Physical Therapist). Active PT.
What kind of counselor makes the most money?
Highest paid counseling jobs: Pediatric counselor. Licensed clinical social worker. Support professional. … Therapist. Physician assistant. … Mental health counselor. Registered nurse. … Physical therapist.
- Job search tips
- 16 Highest-Paid Counseling Jobs (With Descriptions and Salaries)
Counseling jobs include many types of positions. Some of these jobs pay more than others. Knowing which job is right for you starts with learning about the highest-paying counseling jobs. This article lists 16 of the highest-paid counseling jobs and their duties and salaries. Highest-paid counseling jobs. Here is a list of 16 counseling jobs in order of their average salary:
What jobs make the most money?
Doctors and surgeons make the most money in the US. Pediatric surgeons make the most money at nearly $450,000 per year. Cardiologists, orthopedic surgeons, radiologists, and surgeons are also among the highest-paid. Computer and information research scientists make the most money in tech, with a median salary of $145,080 in May 2023, according to the BLS. The highest-paying tech jobs with a bachelor’s degree include software developer, computer network architect, and information security analyst.
How much do marriage counselors make in the USA?
Marriage counselor salary: $102,000 annually $8,500 monthly.
Where do marriage counselors make the most money?
The best states for marriage and family therapists pay the most. The top five are Utah, New Jersey, Maryland, Wyoming, and Virginia.
What is the highest-paying job?
Anesthesiologist. #1 in Best Paying Jobs (tie) OB/GYN. #1 in Best Paying Jobs (tie) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon. #1 in Best Paying Jobs (tie) Psychiatrist. #4 in best-paying jobs. … Anesthesiologist. #5 in Best Paying Jobs. … Pediatrician. #6 in Best Paying Jobs. … Orthodontist. … IT Manager.
📹 HOW MUCH MONEY DO THERAPISTS REALLY MAKE? || Tips & exposing my REAL counselor salary
This video is all about how much money therapists can expect to make working in the mental health field. The answer is that it can …
I’m in the middle of my master’s program in counseling. A major reason I chose this field is because of financial and professional autonomy factors. I helped to run a company for over 10 years and know the ins and outs of business finance. A private practice is a radically more simple business model than trying to run a company and sell product. Calculating out a per session fee and client caseload should not “baffle” anyone who’s got a basic understanding of math. Most private counselors in my area charge no less than $130 per 50 minute session, and some go up to $185 / session. Even at the low end, it doesn’t seem unreasonable to make solid income. The other benefit, is that what if you don’t “need” to make $100K? For example, let’s say you have your own personal life event, like the death of a family member, and you want to work part time for a few months. Well, under your own private practice that’s also totally doable, and you’re not going to piss off some grumpy boss who pays your salary. The autonomy factor for me is huge.
Yea I was basically told half way through graduate school I should not expect to make much money at all. Starting out around 40k a year. I’m like whaaaa! A master level clinician, the rigor of the work and the standards we are held to as well as the additional hoops we through to get licensed…. seems crazy anyone at that level should be making less than 70k a year baseline. It’s criminal that a licensed therapist makes any less than that. I don’t get how the value of work gets determined. The need for mental health providers is through the roof and there are not enough in the field. I wonder why…. only 40 k a year after working to get a masters degree no wonder no one wants to go into the field.
I have a buddy who makes 200k a year through private sessions, consultation, and supervision but works his assssss off. I work part time but like the private practice and make more and work less than in an organization. Also because we live in a rural area the areas are not saturated with practitioners so we can make more. Great article very accurate.
Most therapists, but not all, accept insurance reimbursement. That can typically be approximately $80 per session. One would have to determine how many insurance clients and how many direct pay clients they will likely need per week to end up with the desired income. Direct pay clients or more likely to in therapy sooner than insurance clients meaning there has to be a more frequent flow of new clients.
This article is awesome. I’m considering pursuing a graduate degree and license in mental health counseling to hopefully open a private practice. Like another commenter said, salary information for this line of work is all over the place online.. I don’t even necessarily need to make 6 figures, but knowing that I won’t be broke is encouraging. It seems possible to make at least $70,000-$80,000 in this field, but a lot of people tell me I’ll be broke..
So I am currently in the second semester of my master’s program to become licensed in TN. Do you have any advice/tips for someone in this season of life? I work at a donut shop to pay for rent and groceries lol, I want to get into the field somehow if that is possible. Anyways, my MAIN question is – If I am planning on opening my own practice one day and envision having employees if possible, what can I be doing right now to jump-start that process when I am legally allowed to do it?
Thank you so much. What credentials would I need to be an Addictions counselor who can expect to generate a $150k a year Gros income? Would a certificate course at a college like Trios College be enough to generate such an income?! I live in Toronto and will work toward having a private practice of my own. I also expect to do a lot of seminar workshops for awareness and public speaking for early education students for addictions prevention
Although your point is well taken and I appreciate that you are helping counselors think about these things, there’s a couple of problems with this. First, the way that you came up with the number 130,000 wasn’t exactly correct. The problem is that there is a significant difference between 30% of 100k and 30% of 130k. In your example, 130k minus 30% would leave you with 91k (not 100k). You need to calculate it a bit differently. The actual amount needed to be left with 100k after taking 30% away is 142,850. That’s a 12k difference. The second problem is that the way you calculate the number of hours worked doesn’t factor in no shows, slow months, or other inevitabilities (even with a 48 hour cancelation policy). I do not know any counselors/ therapists that have a 100% fill rate. So, the number of hours per week will almost certainly need to be considerably higher. Also, the more fees are dropped and the more hours are added to the equation (e.g., 20 hours at 135 vs 15 at 180), this can actually increase lost revenue by increasing the chances that hours will go unfilled. Theres a balance to that because if the rates are too high, and 180 is getting close to that rate, then the hours are also less likely to be filled. I appreciate the point that you are making and I appreciate that we all need a starting point to calculate our rates, but I feel like this equation might be a little too far off. Either way, thanks for getting my therapist mind thinking about this mathy stuff!
I have a question, If in this hypothetical scenario of $180.55 for 15 clients, how do most clients afford these rates? I would assume it would be through private insurance but does private insurance cover it all for the client usually or is there a copay? Also, how do you stay afloat when you have cancellations for sessions or holidays?
I live in California and got accepted to a coamfte accredited program was super excited at first until I realized its going to cost me about 155k in loans…now I’m concerned on how I’ll even be able to afford paying off those loans and afford a living since the internet tells me the average pay for a LMFT in California is $56,396. Any MFTs in California have any advice?
I’m sorry but 100+ dollars per session seems too much.. It will be a great source of income for the therapist, no doubt, however I don’t think it will be an accessible option for most..100 dollars a week can be too much for many who are struggling.. Sure, insurance covered therapy exists, however there are many downsides for the patient and the therapist alike (pressure from the insurance company, a need for a diagnosis etc). I am still studying psychology, so I have a lot to learn. I understand that at the end of the day a private practice can be a business like any other. But I think we should be in this profession to help people, and to help people we need to be an approachable option. Mental health is already tricky for many, and the choice to see a therapist can be hard by itself. The financial barrier shouldn’t be overlooked.
I’m currently in the process of earning my Master’s degree… I’m almost finished. Now, there’s much more BS to obtaining licensure and establishing yourself than I ever imagined. But then again, that’s how life is in general. You’re essentially a professional listener and you’re expected to read the Bible (of counseling and other social sciences) AKA DSM-5. I love counseling, but a lot of it (especially the “education” aspect of it) so far appears to be somewhat scam-ish.
‘Setting your fee based on your income goal’ is unethical in the sense that the clients’ needs need to be taken into account. It’s not ethical for a therapist to work without the option of a sliding scale, given that clients can easily lose their health insurance or otherwise take a financial hit, and this should never compromise their ability to get mental health help. I was waiting for you to talk about anything related to the clients’ needs, but somehow that was not factored into your math. In sum, your approach is far too ‘deductive’ i.e. top/down, and you need to also think about the work that’s being done along the way–the whole point.
I’ve Been A Licensed Clinical Psychologist For 30+ Years… For ME, Success Means HELPING SUFFERING People. Many of Whom Don’t Have Much Money… So, I Accept Insurance (they give you what they give you–Period), & I Never Get “Self Pays.” These Two Aspects Change The Game Completely. If I Have 1 Self Pay Weekly Can I Charge Him $2,700 Weekly? In My World I Do Alot Of Pro Bono Work (Free Therapy), I Think ALL Healthcare Providers Should Do Pro Bono Work To The Extent That They Are Able To Do So! Very, Very Few Docs Do ANY Free Work. I Consider Myself A Psychologist “Healer” And That Means It’s As Though A Calling For ME. If Your Primary Concern Is Just UPING & UPING Your Earnings… Eventually You’ll Need To See 20+ Patients Weekly, Plus Notes & Reports & ALL Of The Non-Psy Work That Private Practice Presents… You’d LOSE Your Own Mind, Or Give Up 1/3 Of Your Profits To An Office Manager. Then You’re Also Doing Taxes & Payroll, Time Off, Benefits, Etc. I’ve Been “On Call” For My Patients (w/o end, break or pause)! How Could I Afford What A Colleague Would Charge To Take Call?¿ And, With Insurances One Needs To Code & Bill & Maintain A Huge Amount Of Patient Records & Tests & Reports… It Sounds Good On Paper, I’ve Done It & I Have Truly Loved The Work… However, I Cannot Wait Until I CAN Retire… I Said CAN Because, The Most I’ve Ever Earned In A Year Was $68,000.⁰⁰ ! Be A Surgeon If Your Primary Interest Is $$$, But… You Will NEVER Be A Great One With THAT As Your Motivator.
In Philly I made 85k my first year out of grad school, last year, working at a group practice with a 45/55 split, with me getting the low end. I left that practice to open my own this January and I’m on track to make 200k this year. Granted, I see a lot of clients but I’m loving it. We don’t have a lpcc here, just lpc after you get licensed, which I’m just Waiting on the paperwork for. I never expected the financial freedom that I have now
$35,000 for a masters? I already have an associates and bachelors (in less than 55 days), and am about 2.5 years from my masters. So, I go in and work my ass of studying and struggling for like 8 years and $17 an hour is what they offer. I would’ve been better off serving hamburgers at McDonald’s. The USA is a complete rip off.
In CA the counselors I know are getting atleast 40.00 an hour which translates to about 76K out of grad school. With a license it goes up more. Some people make a lot less, but they generally choose to work in a low paying agency. Idk why. I haven’t got an offer under $40.00 and hour and the highest I got, unlicensed was $55.00 an hour.
Awesome article! You nailed it! I agree with everything you said. I’m a therapist in NM. The hardest part of the financial aspect for me being in private practice is dealing with self employment taxes. I recommend finding a great accountant who can keep you in check so you can focus on what you are best at. I also have an amazing biller who does my credentialing and billing and that also makes a huge difference for me so I don’t have to deal with insurance. How to find a good biller and what to expect for paying them, or hiring help vs doing billing yourself would be great article topics for those starting out.
I have a degree in psychology and I’ve just finished my first year as trainee psychotherapist (UK) – I was surprised how taboo the question of what kind of money you earn was in my training group early on – never bothered me, I love the field, love the work & love the people – but it’s a LOT of work and a LOT of studying and a LOT of associated costs, I ain’t about to do this for free. Thanks for the article though seems to be just as difficult to get an answer online to this as it is in person =D
Thank you so much for this article. There needs to be more transparency and advocacy for better working conditions in the wellness/health care space. I’m a registered nurse looking to transition to becoming a therapist, and there’s a lot of overlap of these two fields- some good and some bad. Your demeanor and way of presenting information is straight forward and calm, which is really helpful when you’re anxiously wading through loads of new information.
Very informative article…thank you. I heard you mention about you being in the school setting, so am I. I am a school counselor and am trying to get my LPC to have my own private practice. How did you transition from having a retirement fund in public education to now having to set it aside with your own private practice? That is always my concern. Thank you
I’m about to get my BA in Sociology and want to pursue a Masters in Psychology to become a marriage therapist. What kind of therapy do you do? I want to help people but I also want to be able to pay back any loans I get. So what’s the highest paying type of therapy ? I used to make 50k w/ out a BA in the weed business. So I have a high standard when it comes to wages. I’m in California btw.
I think it’s tacitly assumed that women who go into the mental health field (and it is a female dominated field) will get married to men who make more than us. I used to be a therapist at a mental health center and my salary was identical to what it is now working an entry level position at an insurance company lol
insurance pays more than that, even medical assistance pays at least $110 with some private insurance paying up to $220. I am in private practice, am pretty much insurance only, take all insurances, sees around 25 to 27 clients a week and works around 44 weeks a year and easily brings 160k a year but am expecting to actually bring in around 180k if not closer to 200k. and I am an lpcc
So, I have my bachelors in psychology and I’m currently 9 classes away from getting my masters in family and marriage counseling from Houston Christian University in Texas. The more I look into the potential salary of an FMT the more disheartened I get because it doesn’t seem like I’d be able to support my own family in this career. Does anyone have any advice or hope for me that I haven’t wasted the last 6-7 years in school for this? $35-55k a year is barely enough to pay for an apt and groceries, let alone a family. Unless this is for part time and I can have a second job that pays just as much
i’m sorry, but most in the article is not accurate. people who make $35k are people who are just out of graduate school who are prelicensed and working under supervision because prelicensed folks cannot bill insurance. fully licensed people do not make $35k or anything near. once you become fully licensed, which can take some like 3 years to do, you then make a lot more. The low end is 55k but the average I would say around 75k depending on the agency, but you typically get full benefits and very generous pto, generally. If you go into private practice, then you can easily make 100k if you work at least close to full time caseload with insurance. Most people I work with who are fully licensed with established practices and take insurance or work for agencies, can provide for themselves just fine. Are you making as much as a dentist no, should we be making more and compensated more with insurance companies, absolutely yes, no question. but it is not as dire as this article wants you to believe