Are you a therapist looking to earn more? If so, then you’re definitely in the right place. In fact, we have a lot of information that is sure to help you get started on your personal journey to becoming a therapist with a master’s degree. Read on and learn how to start your career today. This article also discusses how much does a therapist make with a bachelors degree, mental health therapist salary.
A master’s degree in the field of psychology can provide you with various options for your post graduate career. You can find a job as a therapist, for example. You will be required to complete a certain amount of training before you are allowed by law to work independently. However, there are certain organizations where you will be able to gain some experience before becoming fully qualified.
Is a Masters Degree worth it? The question isn’t whether you should get your Masters degree, but when. You might be wondering if you should get a Masters Degree while already in your career or if you should wait until the end of your career before focusing on school again.
Therapists Salary With Masters Degree
Overview
If you are looking to become a therapist, you will need to meet the education requirements set by your state board of licensure. The number of years it takes to earn your bachelor’s degree in clinical psychology can vary, but it typically takes about four years to complete. The most common programs are Bachelor of Science in Psychology degrees and Master of Arts degrees in Clinical Psychology.
Therapists who have earned a master’s degree often make more money than those who have only completed undergraduate studies. If you want to work as a therapist with less training, you may want to consider becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). This is a credential that requires only two years of post-high school education and experience working with clients under supervision. You can also become an LPC by earning an associate’s degree or certificate in mental health counseling from an accredited college or university program.
You’ll need to contact your state board of licensure for specific information on requirements for licensure as well as minimum salary information for therapists with masters degrees or LPCs in your area.
What Is The Average Salary For Counselors?
The average salary for counselors varies depending on your area of specialization, where you live, and the type of practice you work choose. (In some cases, counselors pursue various private practice options.) Salary is also determined by your level of education.
In order to best determine your earning potential, you must first decide on an area of specialty. One of the many benefits of working as a counselor is the variety of specializations from which to choose. As you start to research degree programs, you’ll learn about the many of areas of specialization. These include marriage and family therapy, school counseling, substance abuse, trauma, and many others. In order to help you find salary statistics, we’ve listed a few of the most popular areas of specialization in the following sections, along with other useful information about your earning potential.
How Does Area Of Specialization Affect Salary?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides up-to-date salary data for many professions, including counselors. The BLS reports its findings on the most common types of counselors, such as substance abuse counselors, school and career counselors, behavioral health counselors, and mental health counselors.
You’ll likely find in your research that counselors and therapists are terms often used interchangeably. This may lead to question whether therapists and counselors earn similar pay. Counselors and therapists are BOTH trained clinicians that provide a variety of support services for various challenges.
Your credentials, however, are determined by the graduate counseling program. These credentials include Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Professional Counselors (LPC), Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), Licensed Marital and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed clinical professional counsellor (LCPC). There are also many organizations that provide guidance for standards of professional practice. These include The National Certified Counselor (NBCC), The National Association of Social Workers (NASW), The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), and The American Psychological Association (APA).
Below you’ll find salary statistics for the most common types of counselors and/or therapists, including information on salary outlook and other important data.
Education, Vocational, And School Counselors
Jobs for educational, school, and vocational counselors are predicted to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026. The need for school and vocational counselors is on the rise due to a large number of retirees in the field and the growing need for on-site mental health and crisis intervention services. Additionally, more schools now hire counselors to address not only academic and vocational goals, but behavioral disorders as well.
Average Salary For Education, Vocational, And School Counselors
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of educational, vocational, and school counselors are as follows:
Demand for career counseling is projected to increase. Career counselors will be needed to help students at on onsite career. These centers are designed to help students transition into the workforce after graduation. If you enjoy working with students and helping them prepare for their futures, a career as a school counselors might be a good fit.
Substance Abuse And Behavioral Health Counselors
Substance abuse and behavioral health counselors is projected to grow 23 percent from 2016 to 2026. As more addiction treatment centers and offender rehabilitation program programs develop, the need for qualified counselors will continue to increase. Substance abuse counselors can also find work at homeless shelters, colleges and universities, and hospital-based outpatient clinics.
Average Salary For Substance Abuse And Behavioral Health Counselors
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of substance abuse counselors are as follows:
Keep in mind that private practices also employ substance abuse and behavioral health counselors. Salary varies by employer and size of their clinic. Substance abuse counselors often have a wide range of possible employment opportunities. This role requires specific training to treat clients with drug and/or alcohol addiction.
mental health therapist salary
Mental Health Counselors
With a 23 percent expected job growth, mental health counselors will have their pick of employment opportunities. Mental health counselors work in a variety of settings including clinics, schools, hospitals, agencies, human resource units, and private practice – all of which are in need of qualified therapists. Students in this field can specialize in a broad range of mental health issues, which widens the scope of job opportunities.
Average Salary For Mental Health Counselors
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of mental health counselors are as follows:
Mental health counselors are also known by other titles since they are trained in rehabilitation and prevention. Make sure to read job descriptions carefully to see if you also qualify to work as a behavioral disorder counselor.
Marriage And Family Therapists
Marriage and family therapists are on the high end of wages in the counseling field. In fact, the highest 10 percent in this field earned more than $70,830. A 29 percent job growth is expected from 2016 to 2026 due to an increased need for relationship counseling services. Graduates can also find employment in a new field of counseling that provides clinical services over the Internet called online counseling or virtual therapy.
Average Salary For Marriage And Family Therapists
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of marriage and family therapists are as follows:
Some marriage and family therapists open their own practices after establishing successful relationships with clients. Counselors can then charge clients an hourly rate without contractual constraints.
Rehabilitation Counselors
Rehabilitation counselors work in a diversity of settings, including vocational, medical, psychiatric centers, and correctional institutions. Jobs in this field are expected to grow by 13 percent, faster than the national average for other occupations. This is largely due to an aging population and the need for elderly care. Rehabilitation counselors can also play a consultant role by working with healthcare professionals to optimize patient therapy.
Average Salary For Rehabilitation Counselors
According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages of rehabilitation counselors are as follows:
Many more qualified rehabilitation counselors are needed now and in the foreseeable future. This field is becoming increasingly more diverse. Rehabilitation counselors are especially needed to address the mental and physical conditions of the elderly.
Average Salary After Earning a Masters in Counseling
Professional counselors work with clients to foster mental wellness, cope with emotional trauma, and make positive choices. Because they practice in a wide range of environments, counselors have a great deal of flexibility in choosing the focus of their studies. Many factors, including location, specialization, and years of experience, play a role in income, making it difficult to speak to salary based solely on the degree.
The best way of understanding the average salary associated with a particular degree is to compare occupations held by professionals who have earned this degree. The most common job titles for someone who earns a Masters in Counseling include:
- Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
- Career and School Counselors
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Counselors
1. Licensed Mental Health Counselor Salary
Licensed mental health counselors are graduate-level practitioners who have undergone supervised clinical training in the field. Once licensed, LMHCs work generally to help their clients improve their mental wellbeing and lives. They do this by leveraging a variety of treatment techniques and methodologies in a variety of settings.
Depending on the state which licensed them, LMHCs may have the authority to diagnose and treat mental illnesses and behavioral disorders, such as depression, post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, and substance use disorders. LMHCs also have the option to branch out to other specialties, such as marriage and family therapy, or start a private practice.
The average annual salary for a licensed mental health counselor is $70,755, according to ZipRecruiter. In Massachusetts, that number jumps up to an average of $78,263. While the top earners take home more than $104,000 a year, the majority of LMHC salaries range from $$55,000 to $82,500. Demand for LMHCs is among the highest in the field. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects an average of 41,000 new jobs in mental health counseling annually from 2020 to 2030.
2. Substance Use Disorders and Mental Health Counselors
Mental health issues often contribute to substance use, and vice versa. The National Institute of Mental Health reported that about 50 percent of people with substance use disorders also cope with a co-occurring mental disorder.
Substance addiction counselors and mental health counselors must be equipped to manage these overlapping needs, helping patients to work through emotional crises in healthy ways while reducing dependency on harmful substances.
The median salary for an addictions counselor is $43,789, with the upper 10 percent earning more than $78,700, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. In Massachusetts, addiction counselors can expect to earn pay of approximately $60,220, and more in urban areas like Boston. Demand is high for jobs in addiction counseling, due in part to a growing movement to manage substance abuse conflicts through therapy, rather than incarceration. BLS projects a 23 percent increase in job growth between 2020 and 2030.
3. Career and School Counselor Salary
Career counselors or coaches help students and working professionals explore occupations and make plans to further their education or career. Similarly, school counselors foster student success by assessing their academic performance and identifying areas for improvement. In both roles, counselors may address underlying issues affecting a client’s career or academic life, such as social skills, anxiety, time management, or lack of focus.
School counselors practice at all levels of education, ranging from elementary to postgraduate students. Career counselors work with adults and are usually employed in colleges, organizations, or private coaching firms.
The median salary for career and school counselors is $58,120 per year, according to the BLS, and employment in the field is expected to grow 11 percent from 2020 to 2030.
4. Social Worker Salary
Social workers provide support and advocacy for people who are coping with challenges in everyday life by finding programs and resources that can help. Social workers need to be skilled at building relationships because they are tasked with assessing the needs of individuals or communities who may be dealing with a variety of physical, mental, or environmental obstacles, such as abuse, illness, low income, unemployment, or addiction.
While many aspiring social workers choose to earn their Master of Social Work (MSW) in order to break into the field, it is also possible to become a social worker with a Master in Counseling. This degree is often held by individuals who started their career in a counseling capacity before moving into social work.
Government agencies, schools, shelters, community centers, and group homes are the most common places where social workers are employed, and annual median pay for this role is $51,760, according to BLS.
The demand is highest for child, family, and school social workers or healthcare social workers. However, social workers have clients of all ages, making their services highly valued in managing problems at different stages of life. As a result, BLS estimates a 12 percent increase in job growth for social workers between 2020 and 2030.
how much does a therapist make with a bachelors degree
As of Oct 18, 2022, the average annual pay for the Bachelor Degree In Psychology jobs category in the United States is $54,287 a year.
Just in case you need a simple salary calculator, that works out to be approximately $26.10 an hour. This is the equivalent of $1,043/week or $4,523/month.
While ZipRecruiter is seeing annual salaries as high as $94,500 and as low as $23,000, the majority of salaries within the Bachelor Degree In Psychology jobs category currently range between $37,500 (25th percentile) to $61,000 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $85,500 annually across the United States. The average pay range for a Bachelor Degree In Psychology job varies greatly (by as much as $23,500), which suggests there may be many opportunities for advancement and increased pay based on skill level, location and years of experience.
Based on recent job posting activity on ZipRecruiter, the Bachelor Degree In Psychology job market in both Lagos, NG and throughout the entire state of is not very active as few companies are currently hiring. People working within the Bachelor Degree In Psychology category in your area are making on average $54,557 per year, or $270 (0%) more than the national average annual salary of $54,287. ranks number 1 out of 50 states nationwide for Bachelor Degree In Psychology job salaries.
To estimate the most accurate annual salary range for Bachelor Degree In Psychology jobs, ZipRecruiter continuously scans its database of millions of active jobs published locally throughout America.
