Marriage and Family Therapist Salary
Marriage and Family Therapists earn a median $66,940 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
What marriage and family therapists do
Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +13.5% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 6,900
- Self-employed
- 11%
Employment of marriage and family therapists is projected to grow 13.5% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 6,900 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.
Marriage and Family Therapist take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,897
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,150
- Medicare (1.45%)$971
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$55,922
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,650 | $21.47 | $38,056 |
| 25th percentile | $50,070 | $24.07 | $42,411 |
| Median (50th) | $66,940 | $32.18 | $55,922 |
| 75th percentile | $93,840 | $45.12 | $74,846 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,730 | $59.49 | $95,835 |
Best cities for marriage and family therapists (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $91,130 | $68,604 | $60,947 | 2,800 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $71,110 | $55,455 | $48,830 | 13,200 |
| 3 | San Diego, CA | $49,610 | $40,371 | $36,082 | 5,350 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $91,130
- Los Angeles, CA — $71,110
- San Diego, CA — $49,610
Marriage and Family Therapist salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $141,960 | +4.5% | $99,003 | $48,950 – $166,400 | 220 |
| New Jersey | $92,150 | +3.5% | $69,978 | $62,150 – $110,990 | 4,040 |
| Georgia | $91,550 | +55.6% | $69,107 | $42,430 – $102,320 | — |
| Oregon | $91,520 | +14.6% | $66,036 | $60,060 – $165,190 | 850 |
| Connecticut | $86,250 | +12.1% | $66,338 | $47,500 – $168,750 | 260 |
| Utah | $84,980 | +4.7% | $65,755 | $39,800 – $151,840 | 2,390 |
| Virginia | $79,900 | −1.0% | $61,260 | $49,720 – $103,330 | 930 |
| Delaware | $76,580 | +20.9% | $58,991 | $53,730 – $91,140 | 400 |
| Minnesota | $72,470 | +0.1% | $56,408 | $54,430 – $99,920 | 4,870 |
| Maine | $71,680 | +4.4% | $55,600 | $64,990 – $91,350 | 180 |
| New Mexico | $70,630 | +3.9% | $56,364 | $52,680 – $92,210 | 160 |
| Ohio | $70,240 | +10.0% | $57,095 | $41,200 – $157,860 | 460 |
| Maryland | $69,900 | +7.0% | $55,048 | $50,230 – $115,330 | 460 |
| Kansas | $68,710 | +3.1% | $54,133 | $46,930 – $101,750 | 190 |
| Massachusetts | $67,370 | +8.2% | $53,076 | $49,070 – $128,490 | 600 |
| California | $67,300 | +5.5% | $53,129 | $46,350 – $130,340 | 34,970 |
| Iowa | $67,180 | +9.3% | $54,190 | $42,680 – $127,720 | 240 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,040 | +2.3% | $53,216 | $47,050 – $91,980 | 2,350 |
| Arizona | $65,290 | +24.6% | $53,217 | $50,270 – $100,720 | — |
| New York | $64,430 | −0.9% | $51,067 | $50,380 – $83,050 | 770 |
| Arkansas | $64,340 | +36.6% | $51,581 | $47,520 – $90,900 | 80 |
| Vermont | $62,780 | +2.8% | $50,940 | $41,460 – $90,110 | — |
| Idaho | $62,700 | — | $50,345 | $59,330 – $74,680 | 140 |
| Nebraska | $62,610 | −8.7% | $50,518 | $38,490 – $95,590 | 260 |
| Illinois | $60,970 | +1.4% | $48,296 | $51,420 – $104,900 | 860 |
| Colorado | $60,700 | −13.3% | $48,990 | $47,030 – $128,400 | 900 |
| Missouri | $60,440 | −6.9% | $48,840 | $41,930 – $109,200 | 390 |
| New Hampshire | $60,030 | +4.9% | $50,414 | $48,200 – $82,490 | 70 |
| Alaska | $60,010 | −3.6% | $50,398 | $46,680 – $113,710 | 60 |
| Washington | $60,000 | +0.6% | $50,390 | $55,690 – $103,740 | — |
| Oklahoma | $57,670 | +2.2% | $46,468 | $28,540 – $94,140 | — |
| Indiana | $56,810 | +9.9% | $46,180 | $46,730 – $82,430 | 510 |
| Florida | $56,400 | +12.3% | $47,497 | $39,460 – $102,280 | 930 |
| West Virginia | $55,700 | +15.6% | $45,161 | $31,760 – $115,950 | 90 |
| South Carolina | $55,430 | +7.8% | $44,549 | $44,280 – $91,220 | 380 |
| Kentucky | $52,420 | −12.9% | $42,582 | $41,180 – $74,690 | 330 |
| Michigan | $52,270 | −1.2% | $42,208 | $39,110 – $78,740 | 590 |
| Mississippi | $51,440 | +0.4% | $42,186 | $47,790 – $59,690 | 140 |
| Alabama | $49,990 | −7.9% | $40,112 | $40,250 – $75,100 | 190 |
| North Carolina | $48,100 | −10.8% | $39,418 | $27,860 – $109,200 | 1,400 |
| Montana | $46,960 | +26.4% | $38,462 | $32,170 – $75,310 | 100 |
| Tennessee | $46,700 | +2.3% | $39,703 | $34,690 – $63,540 | 1,440 |
| Texas | $46,300 | +1.3% | $39,382 | $36,700 – $93,500 | 1,380 |
| South Dakota | $44,870 | −12.3% | $38,233 | $37,060 – $53,420 | 80 |
| Wisconsin | $37,870 | +9.1% | $31,723 | $34,980 – $69,570 | 180 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Counselors, All Other | $50,860 | Master's degree | +5.9% |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,850 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $67,880 | Master's degree | +8.5% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Social Workers, All Other | $71,900 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a marriage and family therapist make?
The national median salary for marriage and family therapists is $66,940 a year ($32.18 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,650 and the top 10% earn over $123,730. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays marriage and family therapists the most?
Hawaii has the highest median pay at $141,960. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many marriage and family therapists are there in the U.S.?
About 66,740 people work as marriage and family therapists nationwide.