Counselor Salary: What to Expect
If you’re considering a career as a counselor, you probably have several questions. What type of counseling do I want to offer? Should I consider relocation before I become a practicing counselor? What type of salary can I expect? These questions are not only important to ask yourself as you consider your options as a counselor, but they are also intertwined with the big question that everyone has when starting a new career–what will my salary look like?
How Are Salaries Determined for Counselors?
How much you make as a counselor entirely depends on the level of education you've acquired, any specializations you've focused on, who you're employed by, and where you'll be practicing.
Many of these directly influence others; for example, you may consider investing more time and money in your education so that you have more options when choosing a specialization.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national average salary for a counselor as of 2024 (latest available data) is $59,190.
Salary by Education Level
The first step to realizing an adequate salary in the counseling field is considering the level of education you plan on attaining. Keep in mind that salaries can vary based on many other factors, as we outline below. Here are the various levels of degrees, and their corresponding average salary ranges:
- Associate's Degree – Estimated base average salary is $40,000 – $56,000
- Bachelor's Degree – Estimated base average salary is $55,000- $80,000
- Master's Degree – Estimated base average salary is $60,000 – $90,000
- Doctorate Degree – Estimated base average salary is $75,231 – $100,000+
Learn more about counselor degrees.
Salary by Specialty
Not every counselor is created equally. While every counseling specialty has its equal place in the mental health workforce, not all will be paid uniformly. For example, a school counselor can expect to earn an average of $65,140 per year, while a marriage counselor can expect an average of $86,060 per year.
Salary by Employer Type
Simply put, different employers pay different wages. If you're employed as a school counselor, chances are you won't be making quite as much as you would be working as a substance abuse counselor. It will depend entirely on the skills required for the job and what your employer is willing to pay.
The number of counselors working for any given employer also plays a role in how much you can potentially earn. More common places of work for counselors, such as outpatient mental health centers (17% of the counseling market), may have less demand for more counselors and typically pay less than residential mental health and substance abuse facilities (9% of the counseling market), where there is much more demand due to the stressful work environment.
Salary by Location
Another factor that may affect your salary as a counselor is location. While some areas of the US can prove very lucrative for your career, others may significantly hinder your ability to make a high income. Examples of the differences between states include:
- Virginia – Annual mean wage of $106,560
- Washington, DC – Annual mean wage of $84,720
- North Dakota – Annual mean wage of $80,780
- New Jersey – Annual mean wage of $78,050
Keep in mind that salaries should be weighed against the cost of living, with many of the top-paying states being in high-cost-of-living regions.
Counselor Job Outlook & Employment Projections
The Bureau of Labor Statistics divides counselor outlooks into two separate categories: school and career counselors, and substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health counselors.
From these statistics, we can see that the outlook for school and career counselors (4%) is growing about as fast as the national average, and the outlook for substance abuse, behavioral, and mental health counselors (17%) is growing much faster than the national average.
Counselor vs. Psychologist: Which Salary is Right for You?
| Counselor | Psychologist | |
| Median Annual Wage | $59,190 | $94,310 |
| Highest Paying Industry | Private Practice | Industrial-Organizational Psychologist |
| Top Paying State | Virginia | California |
Counselor Salary FAQs
Q: What type of counselor makes the most money?
Some of the higher-paying counseling specialties include:
- Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in medical settings
- School counselors in high-paying districts
- Marriage and family therapists in private practice
- Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) with advanced certifications
Private practice and supervisory roles often offer the highest earning potential.
Q: What is the salary difference between an LPC and an LMFT?
Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs) often earn comparable salaries. Differences typically depend on:
- Work setting (private practice vs. agency)
- Geographic location
- Years of experience
- Client volume
In some states, LMFTs may earn slightly more in private practice, while LPCs may earn more in clinical or healthcare settings.
Q: Do school counselors make more than mental health counselors?
School counselor salaries are often determined by district pay scales and may include benefits like pensions and structured raises. Clinical mental health counselors may have more variable income depending on whether they work in community agencies, hospitals, or private practice. In many regions, earnings are similar, though top-performing private practitioners may earn more.
Learn more about counselor careers.
