Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT) Salary
How much do marriage and family therapists make?
According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary of MFTs (also known as marriage and family counselors) in the United States in 2017 was $53,860.
The table below compares the salaries of MFTs to other counseling occupations in Oregon and the U.S. As with all professions, individual earnings differ based on industry, geographic location, experience, education, and other factors. In 2017, the lowest paid 10 percent of MFTs in the U.S. earned less than $31,390 while the highest paid 10 percent earned more than $81,760.
Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors | $61,370 | $58,620 |
Marriage and Family Therapists | $50,350 | $53,860 |
Mental Health Counselors | $55,670 | $46,560 |
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors | $57,420 | $46,560 |
Rehabilitation Counselors | $43,360 | $38,950 |
Counselors, All Other | $52,270 | $47,600 |
Job Outlook for Marriage and Family Therapists (MFTs)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that employment of marriage and family therapists will grow 22% between 2019 and 2029, "much faster" than the average growth rate for all occupations.
Growth is expected due to the increasing use of integrated care, which is a treatment of multiple problems at one time by a group of specialists. In providing integrated care, marriage and family therapists are working with counselors such as substance abuse, behavior disorder, or mental health counselors, to address patients' issues as a team.
From the 2019 employment estimate of 66,200 people working as marriage and family therapists in the U.S., a 22% increase would mean that an additional 14,800 jobs would be added, bringing the total up to 80,900 by 2029.
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a marriage counselor. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.03 an hour? That's $49,987 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 22% and produce 12,300 job opportunities across the U.S.
What Does a Marriage Counselor Do
There are certain skills that many marriage counselors have in order to accomplish their responsibilities. By taking a look through resumes, we were able to narrow down the most common skills for a person in this position. We discovered that a lot of resumes listed organizational skills, compassion and interpersonal skills.
How To Become a Marriage Counselor
If you're interested in becoming a marriage counselor, one of the first things to consider is how much education you need. We've determined that 66.7% of marriage counselors have a bachelor's degree. In terms of higher education levels, we found that 14.8% of marriage counselors have master's degrees. Even though most marriage counselors have a college degree, it's possible to become one with only a high school degree or GED.
Top Marriage Counselor Jobs Near You
Average Salary for a Marriage Counselor
Marriage Counselors in America make an average salary of $49,987 per year or $24 per hour. The top 10 percent makes over $69,000 per year, while the bottom 10 percent under $36,000 per year.
Average Marriage Counselor Salary
$49,987 Yearly
$24.03 hourly
What Am I Worth?
Marriage Counselor Education
Marriage Counselor Majors
Marriage Counselor Degrees
Top Colleges for Marriage Counselors
1. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
4. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
5. San Diego State University
San Diego, CA • Private
6. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
7. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
8. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Marriage Counselor Demographics
Marriage Counselor Gender Distribution
After extensive research and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
- Among marriage counselors, 62.5% of them are women, while 37.5% are men.
- The most common race/ethnicity among marriage counselors is White, which makes up 76.6% of all marriage counselors.
- The most common foreign language among marriage counselors is Spanish at 100.0%.
Online Courses For Marriage Counselor That You May Like
Advertising Disclosure The courses listed below are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the course, we may receive a commission.
Introduction to CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Online Counselling & Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Training Course...
The Complete Marriage and Relationships Masterclass
A guide to cultivating meaningful relationships, overcoming relationship challenges, and building a successful marriage...
CBT: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy For Therapists & Coaches
Comprehensive CBT Therapy Training Cognitive Behavior Therapy Practitioner Level Treat Anxiety, Depression & More...
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Updated September 9, 2022