📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Marriage and Family Therapists Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Medium Demand
Average
$62,680
per year
Median
$58,790
per year
Hourly
$30.13
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,094
25th Percentile — Junior$53,350
50th Percentile — Median$58,790
75th Percentile — Senior$80,926
90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,365
💡 The top 10% of Marriage and Family Therapistss earn $91,365 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $41,094, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$51.5k
2021
$53.6k
2022
$55.7k
2023
$58.0k
2024
$60.3k
2025
$62.7k
2026
📈 Marriage and Family Therapists salaries have grown 4.0% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $11,162.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $97,154 | +55.0% | Medium |
| District of Columbia | $95,274 | +52.0% | Medium |
| California | $89,006 | +42.0% | Medium |
| New York | $86,498 | +38.0% | Medium |
| Alaska | $82,738 | +32.0% | Medium |
| Massachusetts | $81,484 | +30.0% | Medium |
| New Jersey | $80,230 | +28.0% | Medium |
| Washington | $78,350 | +25.0% | Medium |
| Connecticut | $76,470 | +22.0% | Medium |
| Maryland | $72,082 | +15.0% | Medium |
| Rhode Island | $72,082 | +15.0% | Medium |
| New Hampshire | $71,455 | +14.0% | Medium |
| Oregon | $70,202 | +12.0% | Medium |
| Colorado | $68,948 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Virginia | $68,948 | +10.0% | Medium |
| Vermont | $67,694 | +8.0% | Medium |
| Delaware | $65,814 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Illinois | $65,814 | +5.0% | Medium |
| Maine | $63,934 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Nevada | $63,934 | +2.0% | Medium |
| Minnesota | $62,680 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Utah | $62,680 | +0.0% | Medium |
| Arizona | $62,053 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Pennsylvania | $62,053 | -1.0% | Medium |
| Florida | $61,426 | -2.0% | Medium |
| Montana | $59,546 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Texas | $59,546 | -5.0% | Medium |
| Georgia | $58,292 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Idaho | $58,292 | -7.0% | Medium |
| Wyoming | $58,292 | -7.0% | Medium |
| North Dakota | $57,666 | -8.0% | Medium |
| Wisconsin | $57,666 | -8.0% | Medium |
| North Carolina | $57,039 | -9.0% | Medium |
| Michigan | $56,412 | -10.0% | Medium |
| Louisiana | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Nebraska | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| New Mexico | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Ohio | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| South Carolina | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Tennessee | $55,158 | -12.0% | Medium |
| Alabama | $54,532 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Missouri | $54,532 | -13.0% | Medium |
| South Dakota | $54,532 | -13.0% | Medium |
| Iowa | $53,905 | -14.0% | Medium |
| Indiana | $53,278 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Kansas | $53,278 | -15.0% | Medium |
| Oklahoma | $52,651 | -16.0% | Medium |
| Arkansas | $52,024 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Kentucky | $52,024 | -17.0% | Medium |
| Mississippi | $50,144 | -20.0% | Medium |
| West Virginia | $48,890 | -22.0% | Medium |
What Factors Affect Marriage and Family Therapists Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Marriage and Family Therapists's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Marriage and Family Therapistss typically earn $41,094–$53,350 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $80,926–$91,365 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Marriage and Family Therapists role currently has medium demand in the job market with a 4.0% growth rate, making it one of the steadily growing careers in the Social Services sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Marriage and Family Therapists?The average salary for a Marriage and Family Therapists in the United States is $62,680 per year, with a median of $58,790.
-
What is the starting salary for a Marriage and Family Therapists?Entry-level Marriage and Family Therapistss typically earn between $41,094 and $53,350 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Marriage and Family Therapistss the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Marriage and Family Therapistss the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Marriage and Family Therapists make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $62,680, a Marriage and Family Therapists earns approximately $30.13 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Marriage and Family Therapists a good career in 2026?Yes — the Marriage and Family Therapists role has medium demand with 4.0% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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