The following page shows the career & education requirements, salary and job outlook for Family Counseling around the country.
What We Do
A family counselor works with families, couples, and individuals. They professionals are different from others who are involved in mental health services because the treatment they provide is centered around the family perspective, even if they work with a particular individual. They look at how a family is developing and what everybody’s individual role is. Their treatment is focused not solely on their client, therefore, but rather on their relationships. They address a number of important issues, including substance abuse, addiction, stress, and low self esteem.
Work Environment
Family counselors can work in a variety of different fields. Around 30% of them, however, work in individual and family services, including private practices. They may also work for state, local, and national governments, nursing and residential care facilities, offices of other health practitioners, and outpatient care centers.
How to Become a Family Counseling
In order to become a family counselor, you will need to hold a master’s degree, preferably in a field such as family therapy, clinical mental health counseling, or general psychology. In order to enter this master’s program, you will need to complete an undergraduate degree. While it is beneficial to complete this in a field such as psychology or counseling, it is not an essential requirement. During your program, you will be equipped with the skills to recognize emotional and mental disorders and use counseling strategies to effectively manage those. You will specifically learn about how relationships, families, and marriages work, and how there is a strong link between these relationships and emotional and mental disorders.
Training & Certification Requirements
All states have licensure requirements in place for family counselors. Exact requirements, however, vary, although it is common to be required to hold a master’s degree and to have completed between 2,000 and 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience after completing your master’s degree. Furthermore, you will need to pass an examination recognized by your state and demonstrate participation in continuous education classes.
Family Counseling Related Job Titles
According to Indeed.com, the following career/job titles with salary figures are most closely related to Family Counseling.
Career/Job Title | Average Salary |
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Family Service Worker | $42,000 |
Child Protection Specialist | $66,000 |
Marriage and Family Therapist | $24,000 |
Adc Dcc Advisor | $35,000 |
Child Protective Investigator | $40,000 |
Correctional Probation Senior Officer | $49,000 |
Human Services Counselor | $29,000 |
Program Eligibility Specialist | $38,000 |
Child Welfare Specialist | $68,000 |
Social Services Specialist | $28,000 |
Family Counseling Earning Potential
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, all mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists had a median salary of $43,190 per year as of May 2015.
Family Counseling Job Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists can expect to see a 19% growth in demand for their skills between the years 2014 and 2024, which is much faster than the national average for most other professions.
According to Indeed.com, the average national salary of jobs for Family Counseling was $45,000.00 with a high confidence ranking based on over 250 sources. Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide are 21% lower than average salaries for all job postings nationwide.
Family Counseling Salary by State
The following lists Family Counseling salaries in each state around the country. The figures are based on the total number of job postings by employers through Indeed.com. For example, DC had the largest quoted salary of $57,000 while Hawaii had the smallest quoted salary of $28,000.
Alaska – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 48th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Alaska are 26% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 48th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Maniilaq Association, Providence Health & Services, Cook Inlet Tribal Council, Inc., and Banner Health. |
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Alabama – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 12th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Alabama are 1% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 12th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Select Specialty Hospital, Psych On Site, Inc., Gateway, and AlliedBarton Security Services. |
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Arkansas – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 13th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Arkansas are 2% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 13th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Arkansas Department of Human Services, Toys R Us, Kindred At Home, and Select Specialty Hospital. |
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Arizona – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 43rd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Arizona are 18% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 43rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Banner Health, Arizona’s Children Association, Southwest Behavioral Health Services, and TERROS. |
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California – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 7th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in California are 7% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 7th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Mental Health Systems, Inc., Golden Living Centers, STARS Behavioral Health Group, and Stanford Health Care. |
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Colorado – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 33rd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Colorado are 11% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 33rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Children’s Hospital Colorado, Arapahoe House, Kaiser Permanente, and Community Reach Center. |
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Connecticut – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 4th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Connecticut are 15% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 4th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Price Chopper, Community Health Center, Inc., Rushford, and The Village For Families & Children. |
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DC – $57,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 1st | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington, DC are 25% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 1st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Washington, Housing Counseling Services, Inc., Inova Physician Group, and Sasha Bruce Youthwork. |
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Delaware – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 34th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Delaware are 12% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 34th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like The NBN Group, Connections Community Support Programs, State of Delaware, and Toys R Us. |
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Florida – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 27th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Florida are 7% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 27th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, Premier Health Partners, Children’s Home Society of Florida, and Consulate Health Care. |
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Georgia – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 5th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Georgia are 14% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 5th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like InSearch Medical, Golden Living Centers, PruittHealth, and CVS Health. |
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Hawaii – $28,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 51st | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Hawaii are 38% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 51st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, My Wireless AT&T, Health Net, Inc., and Kaiser Permanente. |
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Iowa – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 16th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Iowa are 2% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 16th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like McCall & Lee, LLC, Sequel Youth and Family Services, Mercy Cedar Rapids, and St. Croix Hospice. |
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Idaho – $30,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 50th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Idaho are 34% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 50th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Consulate Health Care, Community Outreach Counseling, Hospice Partners, and Idaho Division of Human Resources. |
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Illinois – $52,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 6th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Illinois are 13% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 6th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, CVS Health, State of Illinois, and Heartland Alliance. |
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Indiana – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 20th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Indiana are 4% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 20th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health, St. Elizabeth Regional Health, CVS Health, and Indiana Department of Child Services. |
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Kansas – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 30th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Kansas are 9% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 30th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Select Specialty Hospital, CVS Health, Newton Medical Center Kansas, and Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. |
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Kentucky – $39,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 41st | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Kentucky are 14% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 41st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Acelero Learning/Shine Early Learning, AlliedBarton Security Services, Volunteers of America Mid-States, and BENCHMARK FAMILY SERVICES, INC.. |
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Louisiana – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 31st | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Louisiana are 11% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 31st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Lafayette General Medical Center, Hospitality Staffing, NHS, and Fresenius Medical Care. |
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Massachusetts – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 2nd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Massachusetts are 20% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 2nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like LAHEY CLINIC, Golden Living Centers, Lahey Health Behavioral Services, and CVS Health. |
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Maryland – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 10th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Maryland are 3% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 10th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fresenius Medical Care, CVS Health, Golden Living Centers, and George Washington University. |
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Maine – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 35th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Maine are 12% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 35th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Pathways of Maine, Kennebec Behavioral Health, Spurwink Services, and Becket Family of Services. |
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Michigan – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 14th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Michigan are 1% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 14th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Michigan, Toys R Us, Select Specialty Hospital, and Children’s Hospital of MI. |
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Minnesota – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 36th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Minnesota are 13% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 36th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fairview Health Services, Allina Health, Residential Services Inc, and Nystrom & Associates, Ltd.. |
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Missouri – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 17th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Missouri are 2% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 17th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Family Counseling Center, Inc., Preferred Family Healthcare, Inc., Toys R Us, and BJC HealthCare. |
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Mississippi – $48,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 9th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Mississippi are 5% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 9th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, STG International, Mississippi Children’s Home Services, and Youth Villages. |
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Montana – $38,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 42nd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Montana are 17% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 42nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Risk Adjustment Staffing, Montana State University, State of Montana, and Billings Health & Rehabilitation Community. |
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North Carolina – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 24th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in North Carolina are 5% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 24th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Novant Health, Carolinas HealthCare System, Toys R Us, and Harris Teeter. |
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North Dakota – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 37th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in North Dakota are 11% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 37th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like STG International, Sanford Health – North, Altru Health System, and Summit Counseling Services. |
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Nebraska – $33,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 49th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Nebraska are 27% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 49th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Nebraska, The Nebraska Medical Center, Unlisted Company, and Toys R Us. |
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New Hampshire – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 18th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in New Hampshire are 1% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 18th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like West Central Behavioral Health, CVS Health, Visiting Nurse Association, and Center for Life Management. |
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New Jersey – $49,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 8th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in New Jersey are 8% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 8th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, Maxim Healthcare Services, Atlantic Health System, and CVS Health. |
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New Mexico – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 38th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in New Mexico are 13% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 38th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Silver City Care Center, New Mexico State Personnel Office, UNM Hospitals, and Sagecrest Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. |
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Nevada – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 45th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Nevada are 24% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 45th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Renown Regional Medical Center, Renown Health, Choices Group, and Fresenius Medical Care. |
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New York – $55,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 3rd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in New York State are 21% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 3rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, Institute for Community Living, Price Chopper, and Harlem Children’s Zone Promise Academy. |
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Ohio – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 25th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Ohio are 4% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 25th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Toys R Us, Select Specialty Hospital, Premier Health Partners, and CVS Health. |
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Oklahoma – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 28th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Oklahoma are 8% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 28th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. John Medical Center, YCO, inc, Universal Health Services, and Integris Health. |
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Oregon – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 21st | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Oregon are 3% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 21st among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Planned Parenthood of Southwestern Oregon, Providence Health & Services, Youth Villages, and LifeWorks NW. |
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Pennsylvania – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 22nd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Pennsylvania are 4% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 22nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like NHS, Family Behavioral Resources, UPMC, and Toys R Us. |
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Rhode Island – $41,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 32nd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Rhode Island are 9% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 32nd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Community Care Alliance, Rhode Island Housing, The State of Rhode Island, and Coastal Medical. |
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South Carolina – $45,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 19th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in South Carolina are 1% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 19th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Fresenius Medical Care, AMIkids, SAFY, and State of South Carolina. |
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South Dakota – $34,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 47th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in South Dakota are 25% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 47th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Golden Living Centers, Toys R Us, Lutheran Social Services of South Dakota, and Avera Health. |
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Tennessee – $42,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 29th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Tennessee are 7% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 29th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Camelot Care Centers, Mental Health Cooperative, Inc., Youth Villages, and AmeriCorps. |
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Texas – $44,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 23rd | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Texas are 3% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 23rd among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like CVS Health, Health & Human Services Comm, Fresenius Medical Care, and Dept of State Health Services. |
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Utah – $35,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 46th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Utah are 22% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 46th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like University of Utah Health Care, Ken Garff Auto Group, Premier Health Partners, and Efolks. |
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Virginia – $46,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 15th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Virginia are 1% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 15th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Golden Living Centers, Family Preservation Services of Virginia, CVS Health, and Intercept Youth Services. |
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Vermont – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 39th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Vermont are 12% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 39th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like Price Chopper, Brattleboro Retreat, Northwestern Counseling & Support Services, and Washington County Mental Health Services. |
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Washington – $47,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 11th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Washington State are 3% higher than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 11th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like State of Washington, Toys R Us, Providence Health & Services, and Yakima Valley Farm Workers Clinic. |
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Wisconsin – $40,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 40th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Wisconsin are 11% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 40th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like FIVE GUYS, Northwest Counseling and Guidance Clinic, Golden Living Centers, and LindenGrove Healthcare Centers. |
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West Virginia – $43,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 26th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in West Virginia are 6% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 26th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like WVU Healthcare, Toys R Us, Home Base Inc., and Golden Living Centers. |
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Wyoming – $37,000 (High Confidence (more than 250 sources)) |
Rank: 44th | ||||||||||
Average Family Counseling salaries for job postings in Wyoming are 17% lower than average Family Counseling salaries for job postings nationwide. The average salary ranks 44th among states in the country. There were also job openings from employers like St. Johns Medical Center, State of Wyoming, Ridleys Family Market, and Volunteers of America Northern Rockies. |
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