Credit Counselor Salary
Credit Counselors earn a median $52,230 a year nationally. Business and Financial Operations Occupations
What credit counselors do
Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explain loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans or student financial aid packages. May advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, bankruptcy, or student financial aid counseling.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +3.3% (about average)
- Openings per year
- 2,000
Employment of credit counselors is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, about the same as the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,000 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Credit Counselor take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$4,088
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,238
- Medicare (1.45%)$757
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$44,147
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,350 | $18.44 | $32,994 |
| 25th percentile | $45,720 | $21.98 | $38,916 |
| Median (50th) | $52,230 | $25.11 | $44,147 |
| 75th percentile | $64,080 | $30.81 | $53,668 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,440 | $38.67 | $65,420 |
Credit Counselor salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $67,120 | +2.0% | $53,019 | $47,260 – $98,520 | 2,160 |
| Georgia | $64,080 | +11.8% | $50,965 | $44,660 – $64,080 | 460 |
| District of Columbia | $63,580 | +2.9% | $50,580 | $52,080 – $100,370 | 110 |
| Massachusetts | $63,240 | +1.9% | $50,051 | $44,730 – $94,110 | 770 |
| New York | $63,030 | +1.5% | $50,018 | $48,720 – $100,720 | 2,020 |
| Nebraska | $62,510 | +22.8% | $50,442 | $44,550 – $95,270 | 260 |
| Washington | $62,360 | +1.9% | $52,286 | $47,920 – $82,950 | 560 |
| Minnesota | $62,160 | +6.0% | $49,422 | $47,110 – $74,140 | 580 |
| Maryland | $60,450 | +3.7% | $48,244 | $45,960 – $81,720 | 350 |
| Oregon | $59,150 | +0.7% | $45,361 | $46,300 – $81,990 | 280 |
| New Hampshire | $58,830 | +9.0% | $49,450 | $41,100 – $76,370 | 170 |
| Rhode Island | $58,480 | +0.4% | $47,593 | $48,890 – $79,770 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $58,330 | +18.9% | $47,257 | $41,100 – $82,190 | 1,110 |
| New Jersey | $57,180 | −9.7% | $46,513 | $40,440 – $75,740 | 530 |
| Colorado | $57,130 | +10.6% | $46,279 | $45,460 – $80,320 | 360 |
| Maine | $55,490 | +15.8% | $44,202 | $43,980 – $76,700 | 170 |
| Nevada | $55,480 | +6.8% | $46,758 | $44,440 – $75,850 | 170 |
| Connecticut | $54,710 | +13.1% | $44,603 | $43,660 – $82,740 | 100 |
| South Carolina | $53,190 | +7.6% | $42,884 | $38,960 – $64,550 | 250 |
| Delaware | $52,840 | +1.0% | $42,381 | $47,150 – $86,670 | 40 |
| North Dakota | $52,220 | +3.5% | $44,139 | $51,360 – $62,120 | 30 |
| Michigan | $52,160 | +2.3% | $42,125 | $39,440 – $77,970 | 1,260 |
| Wisconsin | $52,140 | +1.6% | $42,561 | $44,950 – $77,310 | 770 |
| Illinois | $51,930 | +1.5% | $41,480 | $39,620 – $78,990 | 1,170 |
| Virginia | $51,550 | +0.4% | $41,450 | $40,930 – $70,200 | 760 |
| Arizona | $51,480 | +8.8% | $42,466 | $43,580 – $66,480 | 980 |
| Utah | $51,330 | +4.2% | $42,080 | $40,850 – $133,970 | 190 |
| Ohio | $51,160 | −2.5% | $42,663 | $43,520 – $86,160 | 890 |
| Idaho | $51,130 | −7.9% | $41,661 | $41,270 – $76,430 | 90 |
| New Mexico | $50,390 | +8.7% | $41,466 | $41,850 – $81,480 | 200 |
| South Dakota | $48,890 | −1.5% | $41,463 | $45,400 – $51,980 | — |
| Texas | $48,220 | +2.8% | $40,925 | $36,120 – $66,750 | 3,950 |
| Indiana | $48,180 | −4.5% | $39,501 | $37,840 – $60,510 | 740 |
| Kentucky | $48,150 | +1.0% | $39,301 | $37,360 – $74,210 | 220 |
| Iowa | $48,130 | +3.3% | $39,675 | $38,630 – $60,070 | 440 |
| Alabama | $48,120 | +0.2% | $38,703 | $39,260 – $73,170 | — |
| Louisiana | $47,250 | +0.4% | $39,114 | $38,570 – $60,810 | 130 |
| Oklahoma | $46,950 | +11.1% | $38,337 | $38,120 – $67,750 | 230 |
| Florida | $46,300 | −4.2% | $39,382 | $38,140 – $67,120 | 2,410 |
| North Carolina | $46,180 | −7.0% | $37,952 | $31,210 – $76,940 | 320 |
| Mississippi | $45,990 | +17.6% | $38,025 | $32,020 – $57,700 | 210 |
| West Virginia | $45,860 | +12.0% | $37,692 | $37,390 – $49,400 | 150 |
| Arkansas | $45,060 | +11.5% | $36,841 | $35,000 – $62,770 | 50 |
| Wyoming | $42,580 | — | $36,393 | $33,420 – $66,080 | 40 |
| Tennessee | $38,730 | −12.6% | $33,300 | $31,200 – $105,140 | 950 |
| Missouri | $30,580 | −34.7% | $26,251 | $29,100 – $64,210 | — |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loan Officer | $76,690 | Bachelor's degree | +1.1% |
| Tax Preparer | $54,920 | High school diploma or equivalent | +4.7% |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $62,370 | Bachelor's degree | -1.0% |
| Property Appraiser and Assessor | $67,960 | Bachelor's degree | +3.5% |
| Financial Specialists, All Other | $81,100 | Bachelor's degree | +4.1% |
| Insurance Underwriter | $81,370 | Bachelor's degree | -3.8% |
| Credit Analyst | $83,510 | Bachelor's degree | -4.3% |
| Accountant and Auditor | $83,680 | Bachelor's degree | +5.0% |
| Budget Analyst | $91,640 | Bachelor's degree | +1.9% |
| Financial Examiner | $94,160 | Bachelor's degree | +9.3% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a credit counselor make?
The national median salary for credit counselors is $52,230 a year ($25.11 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,350 and the top 10% earn over $80,440. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays credit counselors the most?
California has the highest median pay at $67,120.
How many credit counselors are there in the U.S.?
About 27,770 people work as credit counselors nationwide.