How much does a credit counselor make?
The median credit counselor in the United States earns $52,230 per year, about $25.11 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all credit counselors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 13-2071.
Credit counselor salary range
Pay for credit counselors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,350 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $80,440. The average (mean) wage of $57,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,350 | $18.44 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $45,720 | $21.98 | |
| Median (50th) | $52,230 | $25.11 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $64,080 | $30.81 | |
| 90th percentile | $80,440 | $38.67 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for credit counselors (SOC 13-2071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Credit counselor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Credit counselors earn the most in California at $67,120 a year, and the least in Missouri at $30,580. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| California | $67,120 | 2,160 |
| Georgia | $64,080 | 460 |
| District of Columbia | $63,580 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $63,240 | 770 |
| New York | $63,030 | 2,020 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 | 260 |
| Washington | $62,360 | 560 |
| Minnesota | $62,160 | 580 |
| Maryland | $60,450 | 350 |
| Oregon | $59,150 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $58,830 | 170 |
| Rhode Island | $58,480 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,330 | 1,110 |
| New Jersey | $57,180 | 530 |
| Colorado | $57,130 | 360 |
| Maine | $55,490 | 170 |
| Nevada | $55,480 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $54,710 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $53,190 | 250 |
| Delaware | $52,840 | 40 |
| North Dakota | $52,220 | 30 |
| Michigan | $52,160 | 1,260 |
| Wisconsin | $52,140 | 770 |
| Illinois | $51,930 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $51,550 | 760 |
| Arizona | $51,480 | 980 |
| Utah | $51,330 | 190 |
| Ohio | $51,160 | 890 |
| Idaho | $51,130 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $50,390 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $48,890 | N/A |
| Texas | $48,220 | 3,950 |
| Indiana | $48,180 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $48,150 | 220 |
| Iowa | $48,130 | 440 |
| Alabama | $48,120 | N/A |
| Louisiana | $47,250 | 130 |
| Oklahoma | $46,950 | 230 |
| Florida | $46,300 | 2,410 |
| North Carolina | $46,180 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $45,990 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $45,860 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $45,060 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $42,580 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $38,730 | 950 |
| Missouri | $30,580 | N/A |
State median wages for credit counselors (SOC 13-2071), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for credit counselors
The BLS projects employment of credit counselors to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 31,200 jobs in 2025 moving toward 32,300 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 2,000 openings a year for credit counselors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a credit counselor
The typical entry-level education for credit counselors is a bachelor's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a credit counselor earns
Firm size, industry, certifications, and years of experience drive the spread. Large firms and major financial centers pay well above small-town or entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (California, $67,120) and the lowest (Missouri, $30,580) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 27,770 people work as credit counselors in the United States. At $52,230 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Credit counselor salary FAQ
How much does a credit counselor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a credit counselor is $25.11. The middle half of credit counselors earn between $21.98 and $30.81 per hour.
What is the highest credit counselor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of credit counselors earn more than $80,440 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a credit counselor make a year?
The median annual salary for a credit counselor is $52,230. The average (mean) wage of $57,210 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a credit counselor a well paid job?
At $52,230 a year, a credit counselor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 27,770 people work as credit counselors in the United States.
Which state pays credit counselors the most?
California has the highest median salary for credit counselors at $67,120 a year. Georgia ($64,080) and District of Columbia ($63,580) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a credit counselor a good career?
Employment of credit counselors is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 2,000 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a credit counselor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for credit counselors as a bachelor's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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