The average salary for a therapist is $41,540 a year, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. If you are considering becoming a therapist, you’ll need to earn a graduate degree. A doctorate in clinical psychology is the most common degree. The American Psychological Association reports that more than a third of the people using mental health services are between the ages of 25 and 44.
The average salary for a therapist is $56,000.
Average salary for a therapist
As a therapist, you are tasked with helping others work through a wide range of issues. You may be working to help people overcome drug or alcohol dependence as a substance abuse counselor or offering guidance and support for those dealing with emotional trauma or military-related stress disorders as a rehabilitation counselor. Because there are so many different types of therapy, salaries can vary widely. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the average annual salary for all therapists was $55,050 in May 2017. Some fields like art therapy have median wages above this figure while other occupations like animal-assisted therapy have median wages below this figure. For example, the BLS reports that marriage and family therapists earned an average of $50,090 per year in May 2017 while psychiatrists made an average annual wage of $208,000. However, if we look at the two specific occupations mentioned above—rehabilitation counselors and substance abuse counselors—we see that these jobs earn between $40k and $60k per year on average.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a mean annual wage of $51,630 for rehabilitation counselors and a mean annual wage of $53,240 for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
As of May 2014, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a mean annual wage of $51,630 for rehabilitation counselors and a mean annual wage of $53,240 for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors. The BLS’ Occupational Outlook Handbook also reports an average salary range for therapists based on experience: entry-level hourly pay is between $24 and $28 per hour; mid-career hourly wages range from $31 to $35 per hour; and senior-level hourly rates may reach as high as over $40 per hour. While these figures indicate that therapy can be lucrative as long as you’re willing to put in the requisite amount of hard work, it’s important to remember that many therapists choose not to pursue careers in private practice due to their desire for better work/life balance than is often possible when running your own business (more on this later).
The BLS projects jobs for these counselors to grow by 13 percent from 2016–2026, which is faster than the average rate for jobs in all industries.
If you are considering a career as a therapist, there are plenty of job opportunities out there. The BLS projects jobs for these counselors to grow by 13 percent from 2016–2026, which is faster than the average rate for jobs in all industries. In fact, more than half of therapists work in hospitals and offices of other health practitioners; most others work in state mental health facilities or group practices.
To become a therapist, you will need either a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field or an undergraduate degree in any major along with a master’s degree in psychology or counseling. Most states require therapists to be licensed to practice. You can find specific licensure requirements here.
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Most therapists make between $40k and $60k per year
The average salary for a therapist is $60,000 per year. This includes all types of therapists, including school counselors and marriage and family therapists (MFTs). Most therapists have master’s degrees in their field. Those who have PhDs tend to earn more than those with master’s degrees, earning an average annual salary of $70,000 or so. If you pursue your education and become a licensed psychologist (PsyD), you can expect to be paid around $70k as well.
Conclusion
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the mean annual wage of a rehabilitation counselor is $51,630, while substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors make a mean annual wage of $53,240. These figures are based on data collected by the BLS between May 2017 and May 2018. It’s also estimated that jobs for these counselors will grow at a rate of 13 percent from 2016–2026—which is faster than the average rate for jobs in all industries. You can find more information about how to become a therapist here.
