The median annual wage of mental health counselors was $38,150 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,180, and the top 10 percent earned more than $63,630.
In May 2010, wages for mental health counselors in the industries employing the most mental health counselors were as follows:
| Local government | $46,590 |
| Hospitals | 41,930 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 38,840 |
| Individual and family services | 37,700 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 30,260 |
The median annual wage of marriage and family therapists was $45,720 in May 2010. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $23,870, and the top 10 percent earned more than $72,280.
In May 2010, wages for marriage and family therapists in the industries employing the most marriage and family therapists were as follows:
| State government | $56,320 |
| Local government | 54,340 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 47,480 |
| Offices of mental health practitioners (except physicians) | 46,800 |
| Individual and family services | 42,150 |
Mental health counselors and marriage and family therapists generally work full time. Because counseling sessions are scheduled to accommodate clients who may have job or family responsibilities, some counselors and therapists work evenings and weekends.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition