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.
Also called: ABA Behavior Therapist (Applied Behavior Analysis Behavior Therapist), Child and Adolescent Therapist, Child and Family Counselor, Child and Family Therapist, Clinical Therapist, Couple and Family Therapist
Median pay
$66,940
per year, U.S.
Pay range (10th–90th)
$44,650 – $123,730
People employed
66,740
Holland code
SIA
Social · Investigative · Artistic
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
Is this career right for you?
These are the things that stand out in this job compared with other U.S. jobs (O*NET 31.0 work context). Answer honestly.
- 1.Do you prefer doing your own work rather than directing others?
- 2.Do you want variety, with new tasks often?
- 3.Are you comfortable sitting at a desk most of the day?
- 4.Do you want a lot of freedom to make your own decisions?
- 5.Do you want to stay at 40 hours a week or less?
- 6.Do you want a job with little physical risk?
The hard parts
- Tight deadlines are common
- Dealing with conflict is part of the job
Marriage and Family Therapists pay by state
Annual median pay by state (45 states with published data). Source: BLS OEWS May 2025.
What marriage and family therapists do
- 01Ask questions that will help clients identify their feelings and behaviors.
- 02Encourage individuals and family members to develop and use skills and strategies for confronting their problems in a constructive manner.
- 03Develop and implement individualized treatment plans addressing family relationship problems, destructive patterns of behavior, and other personal issues.
- 04Maintain case files that include activities, progress notes, evaluations, and recommendations.
- 05Counsel clients on concerns, such as unsatisfactory relationships, divorce and separation, child rearing, home management, or financial difficulties.
- 06Determine whether clients should be counseled or referred to other specialists in such fields as medicine, psychiatry, or legal aid.
Skills that matter most
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Reading Comprehension
- Writing
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
Knowledge
- Therapy and Counseling
- Psychology
- Sociology and Anthropology
- Customer and Personal Service
- English Language
Work styles that stand out
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Cooperation
- Social Orientation
- Self-Control
Education and first steps
O*NET has no education survey data for this job.
How people get started
- Usually needs a graduate degree (O*NET Job Zone 5).
- Related work experience: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- On-the-job training: over 2 years, up to and including 4 years.
- A professional certification is often expected.
Most common answers from O*NET 31.0 Education, Training and Experience.
Interest fit (Holland code)
O*NET occupational interest scores, scale 1–7. Take the Free Career Test to compare with your own.
Career changes
Change from marriage and family therapists
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses86% · group pay
- Recreational Therapists84% · −7%
- Art Therapists83% · group pay
- Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary83% · +16%
- Occupational Therapists82% · +50%
Change into marriage and family therapists
Jobs whose skills carry over best (skill match, their median pay).
- Art Therapists89% · $77,930
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists83% · $100,580
- Advanced Practice Psychiatric Nurses82% · $97,550
- Music Therapists82% · $77,930
- School Psychologists82% · $95,990
Majors that lead here
- Social Work
- Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
- Clinical Pastoral Counseling/Patient Counseling
- Infant/Toddler Mental Health Services
- Medical Family Therapy/Therapist
From the NCES CIP 2020 to SOC 2018 crosswalk.