Marriage and family therapists
SOC Code: 21-1013Also known as:
ABA Behavior Therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Therapist), Behavior Intervention Specialist, Behavior Specialist, Behavior Support Specialist, Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech)
Median Annual Salary
$63,780
+12.6% growth (2024-2034)
8K
Openings/Year
78K
Current Jobs
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.
💰 Salary
$63,780
Median annual wage (2024)
📈 Job Growth
+12.6%
Much faster than average
🎓 Education
Master's degree
Typical entry-level requirement
🚀 Annual Openings
8K
Projected average per year
📚 On-the-Job Training
Internship/residency
Expected training period
Employment Projections (2024-2034)
Current Employment (2024)
77,800
Projected Employment (2034)
87,700
Related Careers
Clinical and counseling psychologists
$95,830 •
+11.2% growth
Child, family, and school social workers
$58,570 •
+3.4% growth
Healthcare social workers
$68,090 •
+7.7% growth
Mental health and substance abuse social workers
$60,060 •
+9.7% growth
Top Skills Required
Active Listening
Social Perceptiveness
Speaking
Reading Comprehension
Writing
Daily Tasks & Responsibilities
- Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- Collect information about clients, using techniques such as testing, interviewing, discussion, or observation.
- Confer with clients to develop plans for posttreatment activities.
- Confer with other counselors, doctors, and professionals to analyze individual cases and to coordinate counseling services.
- Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, or legal aid.
- Provide instructions to clients on how to obtain help with legal, financial, and other personal issues.
Technology & Tools
📚 Entry-Level Education
Master's degree
Most common requirement
🎯 Recommended Education
Master's Degree
O*NET recommended level
Degree Programs for Marriage and family therapists
These degree programs can prepare you for a career as a marriage and family therapists:
Social Work
57,279 degrees awarded •
781 colleges offer this program
Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
4,476 degrees awarded •
139 colleges offer this program
Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
187 degrees awarded •
18 colleges offer this program
Best Colleges for Becoming a Marriage and family therapists
Ranked by Repit grade, then by degrees in related programs. These are the top-rated colleges that prepare students to become marriage and family therapists.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do marriage and family therapists make?
The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists is $63,780.
What education do marriage and family therapists need?
Most marriage and family therapists positions require a master's degree.
Common degree programs include Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling, Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling.
Is becoming marriage and family therapists a good career choice?
Marriage and family therapists is projected to see +12.6% job growth from 2024 to 2034,
which is much faster than average for all occupations. With approximately 7,700 job openings expected annually,
there are good opportunities for those entering the field.
What are the best colleges for marriage and family therapists?
Top colleges for aspiring marriage and family therapists include
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, University of Southern California, Columbia University in the City of New York, New York University, Boston University.
These schools are ranked based on their Repit grade and the number of graduates in related programs.
What other job titles are similar to marriage and family therapists?
Marriage and family therapists may also be known as: ABA Behavior Therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Therapist), Behavior Intervention Specialist, Behavior Specialist, Behavior Support Specialist, Behavior Technician (Behavior Tech), Behavior Therapist, Behavioral Analyst, Behavioral Health Clinician, Behavioral Specialist, Behavioral Therapist, Bilingual Clinician, Child and Adolescent Therapist, Child and Family Counselor, Child and Family Therapist, Clinical Therapist, Counselor, Couples Therapist, Couples' Therapist, Family Counselor, Family Service Counselor.
These titles often refer to similar roles with varying responsibilities or specializations.