How much does a marriage and family therapist make?
The median marriage and family therapist in the United States earns $66,940 per year, about $32.18 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all marriage and family therapists earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1013.
Marriage and family therapist salary range
Pay for marriage and family therapists spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $44,650 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $123,730. The average (mean) wage of $76,960 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 | $44,650 | $21.47 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,940 | $32.18 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $93,840 | $45.12 | |
| 90th percentile | $123,730 | $59.49 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Marriage and family therapist salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Marriage and family therapists earn the most in Hawaii at $141,960 a year, and the least in Wisconsin at $37,870. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $141,960 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $92,150 | 4,040 |
| Georgia | $91,550 | N/A |
| Oregon | $91,520 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $86,250 | 260 |
| Utah | $84,980 | 2,390 |
| Virginia | $79,900 | 930 |
| Delaware | $76,580 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $72,470 | 4,870 |
| Maine | $71,680 | 180 |
| New Mexico | $70,630 | 160 |
| Ohio | $70,240 | 460 |
| Maryland | $69,900 | 460 |
| Kansas | $68,710 | 190 |
| Massachusetts | $67,370 | 600 |
| California | $67,300 | 34,970 |
| Iowa | $67,180 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,040 | 2,350 |
| Arizona | $65,290 | N/A |
| New York | $64,430 | 770 |
| Arkansas | $64,340 | 80 |
| Vermont | $62,780 | N/A |
| Idaho | $62,700 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $62,610 | 260 |
| Illinois | $60,970 | 860 |
| Colorado | $60,700 | 900 |
| Missouri | $60,440 | 390 |
| New Hampshire | $60,030 | 70 |
| Alaska | $60,010 | 60 |
| Washington | $60,000 | N/A |
| Oklahoma | $57,670 | N/A |
| Indiana | $56,810 | 510 |
| Florida | $56,400 | 930 |
| West Virginia | $55,700 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $55,430 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $52,420 | 330 |
| Michigan | $52,270 | 590 |
| Mississippi | $51,440 | 140 |
| Alabama | $49,990 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $48,100 | 1,400 |
| Montana | $46,960 | 100 |
| Tennessee | $46,700 | 1,440 |
| Texas | $46,300 | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $44,870 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $37,870 | 180 |
State median wages for marriage and family therapists (SOC 21-1013), 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 marriage and family therapists
The BLS projects employment of marriage and family therapists to grow 13.5% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 76,300 jobs in 2025 moving toward 86,600 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 6,900 openings a year for marriage and family therapists. 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 marriage and family therapist
The typical entry-level education for marriage and family therapists is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a marriage and family therapist earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Hawaii, $141,960) and the lowest (Wisconsin, $37,870) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 66,740 people work as marriage and family therapists in the United States. At $66,940 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Marriage and family therapist salary FAQ
How much does a marriage and family therapist make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a marriage and family therapist is $32.18. The middle half of marriage and family therapists earn between $24.07 and $45.12 per hour.
What is the highest marriage and family therapist salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of marriage and family therapists earn more than $123,730 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a marriage and family therapist make a year?
The median annual salary for a marriage and family therapist is $66,940. The average (mean) wage of $76,960 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 marriage and family therapist a well paid job?
At $66,940 a year, a marriage and family therapist earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 66,740 people work as marriage and family therapists in the United States.
Which state pays marriage and family therapists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median salary for marriage and family therapists at $141,960 a year. New Jersey ($92,150) and Georgia ($91,550) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a marriage and family therapist a good career?
Employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 13.5% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 6,900 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a marriage and family therapist?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for marriage and family therapists as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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