Are you looking for a job in the field of mental health? Do you want to work with issues such as child abuse, substance use, abuse, criminal justice and/or family issues? If you are looking for an entry level position, you may wonder how much this career is really worth at all. This article will go over the salary for licensed counselors and give some advice on how to start your career.
Salary for LCPC’s varies widely. In some states, licensed counselors are treated like counselors and can earn anywhere between 54k to 120k. But in other states they are categorized as mental health providers (such as a psychologist) and earn a lower wage.
Many associate being a counselor with working at a high school or college level, but that is not necessarily the case. There are many career paths out there for counselors. Counselors also can pick and choose where they want to work and the type of people they want to help. Counseling is an ever growing industry that is quickly becoming more popular. A counselor’s salary may vary depending on where you live and the specific kind of counseling you wish to do.
Licensed counselors are highly educated professionals who have completed an accredited master’s degree program in counseling. They are required to complete a supervised internship at the end of their education before they can be considered for licensing as a counselor. Licensed counselors work in many different fields, helping people with issues such as depression, anxiety and stress, addiction and substance abuse. They may also help patients deal with relationship problems or problems in their careers. Licensed counselors may work directly with clients or they may work within schools or businesses to help with employee issues such as stress management and anger management.
The average salary for a licensed counselor is $46,000 per year, but this depends on what area of counseling you work in and how much experience you have. If you work in a high-demand area such as substance abuse disorders then your salary will likely be higher than average; however if you are just starting out then your salary will be lower than average until you gain enough experience to command higher paychecks from clients or employers alike.
Salary for licensed counselor
How much does a Licensed Counselor make?
The average Licensed Counselor in the US makes $62,609. Licensed Counselors make the most in San Francisco at $94,553, averaging total compensation 51% greater than the US average.
U.S. Average
$62,609
$12,105$320,285
Base Salary
$62,609
Bonus
N/A
Get Bonus
N/A
Salary Ranges for Licensed Counselors
The salaries of Licensed Counselors in the US range from $12,105 to $320,285 , with a median salary of $58,084 . The middle 57% of Licensed Counselors makes between $58,084 and $145,084, with the top 86% making $320,285.
How much tax will you have to pay as a Licensed Counselor
For an individual filer in this tax bracket, you would have an estimated average federal tax in 2018 of 22%. After a federal tax rate of 22% has been taken out, Licensed Counselors could expect to have a take-home pay of $52,895/year, with each paycheck equaling approximately $2,204*.
* assuming bi-monthly pay period. Taxes estimated using tax rates for a single filer using 2018 federal and state tax tables. Metro-specific taxes are not considered in calculations. This data is intended to be an estimate, not prescriptive financial or tax advice.
Quality of Life for Licensed Counselor
With a take-home pay of roughly $4,408/month, and the median 2BR apartment rental price of $2,506/mo**, a Licensed Counselor would pay 56.85% of their monthly take-home salary towards rent.
