Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.
Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
Top skills:Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingWritingService OrientationReading Comprehension
Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).
Marriage and Family Therapists pay by experience level
Entry level$46,000
Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)
Early career$52,000
A few years in (about the 25th percentile)
Experienced$69,500
Mid-career median pay
Senior$97,000
Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)
Top earners$128,000
Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)
Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.
Job outlook
+12.6%
projected change in jobs, 2024–2034
7,700
projected openings per year
Growing faster than average
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.
Marriage and Family Therapists salary by industry
Ambulatory Health Care Services
37,490 workers
$81,000
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
25,720 workers
$79,000
Social Assistance
17,980 workers
$73,500
Individual and Family Services
17,330 workers
$74,000
Outpatient Care Centers
7,760 workers
$87,500
Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Schools and Hospitals and USPS
4,830 workers
$92,000
State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation)
4,120 workers
$91,500
Offices of Physicians
3,660 workers
$81,500
Nursing and Residential Care Facilities
3,070 workers
$76,000
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
2,240 workers
$80,000
National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.
How this role compares
Marriage and Family Therapists pays 20% above the average across 17 roles in the Community and Social Service job family (family average $66,500).
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