Marriage and Family Therapists
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.Salary by State
| State Name | Employment | Annual Salary | Hourly Salary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 310 | $46,220 | $22.22 | |
| Arizona | 460 | $58,360 | $28.06 | |
| California | 25,870 | $59,320 | $28.52 | |
| Colorado | 1,130 | $73,040 | $35.11 | |
| Connecticut | 450 | $64,190 | $30.86 | |
| Delaware | 230 | $54,540 | $26.22 | |
| Florida | 2,240 | $46,410 | $22.31 | |
| Georgia | $48,280 | $23.21 | ||
| Hawaii | 70 | $62,440 | $30.02 | |
| Idaho | $53,870 | $25.90 | ||
| Illinois | 2,540 | $53,560 | $25.75 | |
| Indiana | 1,020 | $52,340 | $25.17 | |
| Iowa | 260 | $49,920 | $24.00 | |
| Kansas | 220 | $47,470 | $22.82 | |
| Kentucky | 400 | $57,210 | $27.51 | |
| Louisiana | 30 | $38,060 | $18.30 | |
| Maryland | 880 | $56,840 | $27.33 | |
| Massachusetts | 880 | $53,940 | $25.93 | |
| Michigan | $56,300 | $27.07 | ||
| Minnesota | 2,310 | $68,660 | $33.01 | |
| Mississippi | 70 | $45,880 | $22.06 | |
| Missouri | 380 | $47,930 | $23.04 | |
| Nebraska | $42,660 | $20.51 | ||
| Nevada | 310 | $66,600 | $32.02 | |
| New Hampshire | 90 | $50,370 | $24.22 | |
| New Jersey | 4,120 | $81,330 | $39.10 | |
| New Mexico | 300 | $56,070 | $26.96 | |
| New York | 1,070 | $62,210 | $29.91 | |
| North Carolina | 810 | $46,900 | $22.55 | |
| North Dakota | 80 | $50,980 | $24.51 | |
| Ohio | 230 | $54,600 | $26.25 | |
| Oklahoma | 830 | $58,210 | $27.99 | |
| Oregon | 340 | $59,300 | $28.51 | |
| Pennsylvania | 1,470 | $51,260 | $24.65 | |
| South Carolina | 210 | $56,480 | $27.15 | |
| South Dakota | 70 | $45,020 | $21.64 | |
| Tennessee | 1,340 | $43,560 | $20.94 | |
| Texas | 800 | $56,950 | $27.38 | |
| Utah | 910 | $86,490 | $41.58 | |
| Virginia | 550 | $53,550 | $25.75 | |
| Washington | 400 | $49,220 | $23.66 | |
| West Virginia | 50 | $43,550 | $20.94 | |
| Wisconsin | 200 | $60,190 | $28.94 | |
| Wyoming | 50 | $50,950 | $24.50 |
Education
The programs listed below are typically the education paths that can land you this kind of job.
A program that prepares individuals for the professional practice of social welfare administration and counseling, and that focus on the study of organized means of providing basic support services for vulnerable individuals and groups. Includes instruction in social welfare policy; case work planning; social counseling and intervention strategies; administrative procedures and regulations; and specific applications in areas such as child welfare and family services, probation, employment services, and disability counseling.
A program that prepares individuals for the independent professional practice of marriage and family therapy, involving the diagnosis of cognitive, affective, and behavioral domain disorders, both mental and emotional, within the context of marriage and family systems and the application of short- and long-term therapeutic strategies in family group contexts. Includes instruction in psychotherapy, family systems and studies, small group intervention and therapy, marital problems, depression, identification of psychopathologies and behavioral disorders, holistic health care, practice management, applicable regulations, and professional standards and ethics.
A program that prepares individuals, including but not limited to, ordained clergy and other counseling professionals to respond to the emotional and/or spiritual needs of patients and families in health care emergencies and other situations, and to consult with and counsel other health care professionals. Includes instruction in advanced interpersonal communication; individual and small group counseling; interdisciplinary teamwork; crisis management; extended care relationships; self-analysis; medical ethics; pastoral care art; spiritual dimensions of human growth and health; counseling psychology and therapy; and applications to grief, death, emotional collapse, injury, individual/family adjustment, and chronic illness situations.
A program that prepares individuals to work with patients and their families who are experiencing emotional, physical, relational and spiritual difficulties related to acute and chronic illnesses. Includes instruction in cultural context, ethics, family dynamics, family therapy, gender, human development, marriage counseling, psychopathology, research design and methods, sexuality, and systems thinking.
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$59,660 per yearNational average salaryVery HighJob growth rate
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Master's degreeTypical education requirement
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Internship/residencyTypical on-the-job training requirement
Educational Attainment
The following chart shows the highest education level completed by those working as marriage and family therapists.
- Less than high school 1%
- High school graduate 4%
- College dropout 5%
- Associate’s degree 4%
- Bachelor’s degree 17%
- Master’s degree 62%
- Doctorate degree 8%
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