Mental Health55% remote-eligible+5.5% YoY growth

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary
by City (2026)

Provide individual and family therapy for mental health and relationship issues. National median: $62K/year. See how your city compares.

National median

$62K

Top 10% earn

$108K

Entry level

$48K

Salary growth

+5.5%/yr

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary by city

Sorted by median salary

City	Entry	Median	Senior	COL	Tax
San Francisco, CA	$67K	$87K	$115K	224	9.3%
San Jose, CA	$65K	$84K	$111K	210	9.3%
New York City, NY	$64K	$82K	$109K	187	6.85%
Cambridge, MA	$63K	$82K	$108K	185	5%
Pearl City, HI	$63K	$82K	$108K	185	11%
Oakland, CA	$62K	$81K	$107K	185	9.3%
Boston, MA	$62K	$81K	$107K	162	5%
Washington, DC	$62K	$81K	$107K	152	8.5%
Bellevue, WA	$62K	$80K	$105K	175	None ✓
Irvine, CA	$61K	$79K	$105K	172	9.3%
Los Angeles, CA	$60K	$78K	$103K	163	9.3%
Jersey City, NJ	$60K	$78K	$103K	162	10.75%
Yonkers, NY	$60K	$77K	$102K	165	6.85%
Kirkland, WA	$59K	$77K	$102K	162	None ✓
Bethesda, MD	$60K	$77K	$102K	165	5.75%
San Diego, CA	$59K	$76K	$100K	148	9.3%
Seattle, WA	$59K	$76K	$100K	150	None ✓
Newark, NJ	$59K	$76K	$100K	155	10.75%
Stamford, CT	$59K	$76K	$100K	158	6.99%
Hilo, HI	$58K	$75K	$99K	155	11%
Anaheim, CA	$57K	$74K	$97K	148	9.3%
Santa Ana, CA	$57K	$74K	$98K	150	9.3%
Arlington, VA	$58K	$74K	$98K	148	5.75%
Rockville, MD	$57K	$74K	$97K	148	5.75%
Honolulu, HI	$58K	$74K	$98K	192	11%
Long Beach, CA	$57K	$73K	$97K	155	9.3%
Worcester, MA	$57K	$73K	$97K	120	5%
Alexandria, VA	$56K	$73K	$97K	145	5.75%
Baltimore, MD	$57K	$73K	$97K	115	5.75%
Elizabeth, NJ	$56K	$73K	$97K	145	10.75%
Anchorage, AK	$57K	$73K	$97K	128	None ✓
Paterson, NJ	$56K	$72K	$95K	140	10.75%
Sacramento, CA	$55K	$71K	$94K	128	9.3%
Chula Vista, CA	$55K	$71K	$94K	138	9.3%
Philadelphia, PA	$55K	$71K	$94K	110	3.07%
Portland, OR	$55K	$71K	$94K	130	9.9%
Edison, NJ	$55K	$71K	$94K	138	10.75%
Fairbanks, AK	$55K	$71K	$94K	138	None ✓
Chicago, IL	$54K	$69K	$92K	107	4.95%
Denver, CO	$54K	$69K	$92K	118	4.55%
Hartford, CT	$54K	$69K	$92K	118	6.99%
Dallas, TX	$53K	$68K	$90K	96	None ✓
Miami, FL	$53K	$68K	$90K	123	None ✓
Tacoma, WA	$53K	$68K	$90K	128	None ✓
Minneapolis, MN	$53K	$68K	$90K	106	6.8%
New Haven, CT	$53K	$68K	$90K	122	6.99%
Houston, TX	$52K	$67K	$89K	91	None ✓
Plano, TX	$52K	$67K	$89K	105	None ✓
Frisco, TX	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	None ✓
Riverside, CA	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	9.3%
Naperville, IL	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	4.95%
Vancouver, WA	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	None ✓
Atlanta, GA	$52K	$67K	$89K	99	5.75%
Lowell, MA	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	5%
Durham, NC	$52K	$67K	$89K	100	4.75%
Nashville, TN	$52K	$67K	$89K	102	None ✓
St. Paul, MN	$52K	$67K	$89K	104	6.8%
Gresham, OR	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	9.9%
Bridgeport, CT	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	6.99%
Manchester, NH	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	None ✓
Nashua, NH	$52K	$67K	$89K	120	None ✓
Burlington, VT	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	6.6%
Providence, RI	$52K	$67K	$88K	118	5.99%
Hialeah, FL	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	None ✓
Pembroke Pines, FL	$51K	$66K	$87K	112	None ✓
Hollywood, FL	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	None ✓
Aurora, CO	$51K	$66K	$87K	112	4.55%
Fort Collins, CO	$51K	$66K	$87K	112	4.55%
Lakewood, CO	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	4.55%
Cary, NC	$51K	$66K	$87K	112	4.75%
Ann Arbor, MI	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	4.25%
Frederick, MD	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	5.75%
Portland, ME	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	7.15%
Concord, NH	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	None ✓
Warwick, RI	$51K	$66K	$88K	115	5.99%
Austin, TX	$50K	$65K	$86K	110	None ✓
Fort Worth, TX	$50K	$65K	$86K	93	None ✓
Irving, TX	$50K	$65K	$86K	97	None ✓
McKinney, TX	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	None ✓
Round Rock, TX	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	None ✓
Fort Lauderdale, FL	$50K	$65K	$86K	118	None ✓
Scottsdale, AZ	$50K	$65K	$86K	118	2.5%
Gilbert, AZ	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	2.5%
Tempe, AZ	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	2.5%
Thornton, CO	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	4.55%
Raleigh, NC	$50K	$65K	$86K	102	4.75%
Pittsburgh, PA	$50K	$65K	$86K	90	3.07%
Eugene, OR	$50K	$65K	$86K	110	9.9%
Salt Lake City, UT	$50K	$65K	$86K	105	4.85%
Boise, ID	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	5.8%
Wilmington, DE	$50K	$65K	$86K	108	6.6%
Stockton, CA	$50K	$64K	$85K	105	9.3%
Springfield, MA	$50K	$64K	$85K	105	5%
Salem, OR	$50K	$64K	$85K	105	9.9%
Henderson, NV	$50K	$64K	$85K	105	None ✓
Meridian, ID	$50K	$64K	$85K	105	5.8%
San Antonio, TX	$49K	$63K	$84K	87	None ✓
Arlington, TX	$49K	$63K	$84K	94	None ✓
Garland, TX	$49K	$63K	$84K	91	None ✓
Denton, TX	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	None ✓
Carrollton, TX	$49K	$63K	$84K	102	None ✓
San Bernardino, CA	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	9.3%
Tampa, FL	$49K	$63K	$84K	102	None ✓
Cape Coral, FL	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	None ✓
Phoenix, AZ	$49K	$63K	$84K	100	2.5%
Peoria, AZ	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	2.5%
Charlotte, NC	$49K	$63K	$84K	100	4.75%
Rochester, MN	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	6.8%
West Jordan, UT	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	4.85%
Overland Park, KS	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	5.7%
Missoula, MT	$49K	$63K	$84K	102	6.75%
Dover, DE	$49K	$63K	$83K	100	6.6%
Bakersfield, CA	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	9.3%
Albany, NY	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	6.85%
Orlando, FL	$48K	$62K	$82K	100	None ✓
Port St. Lucie, FL	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	None ✓
Aurora, IL	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	4.95%
Chandler, AZ	$48K	$62K	$82K	105	2.5%
Glendale, AZ	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	2.5%
Norfolk, VA	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	5.75%
Chesapeake, VA	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	5.75%
Richmond, VA	$48K	$62K	$82K	98	5.75%
Newport News, VA	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	5.75%
Allentown, PA	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	3.07%
Madison, WI	$48K	$62K	$82K	102	5.3%
Las Vegas, NV	$48K	$62K	$82K	102	None ✓
Reno, NV	$48K	$62K	$82K	108	None ✓
North Las Vegas, NV	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	None ✓
West Valley City, UT	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	4.85%
Provo, UT	$48K	$62K	$82K	100	4.85%
Orem, UT	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	4.85%
North Charleston, SC	$48K	$62K	$82K	95	6.5%
Nampa, ID	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	5.8%
Billings, MT	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	6.75%
Lewiston, ME	$48K	$62K	$83K	98	7.15%
Grand Prairie, TX	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	None ✓
Midland, TX	$47K	$61K	$81K	92	None ✓
Fresno, CA	$47K	$61K	$80K	102	9.3%
Rochester, NY	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	6.85%
Jacksonville, FL	$47K	$61K	$80K	93	None ✓
St. Petersburg, FL	$47K	$61K	$80K	105	None ✓
Tallahassee, FL	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	None ✓
Joliet, IL	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	4.95%
Mesa, AZ	$47K	$61K	$80K	98	2.5%
Athens, GA	$47K	$61K	$81K	92	5.75%
Virginia Beach, VA	$47K	$61K	$80K	98	5.75%
Columbus, OH	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	3.99%
Sterling Heights, MI	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	4.25%
Milwaukee, WI	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	5.3%
Kenosha, WI	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	5.3%
Duluth, MN	$47K	$61K	$81K	92	6.8%
Charleston, SC	$47K	$61K	$80K	105	6.5%
Greenville, SC	$47K	$61K	$81K	92	6.5%
Cheyenne, WY	$47K	$61K	$81K	92	None ✓
Fargo, ND	$47K	$61K	$80K	90	2.5%
Pasadena, TX	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Mesquite, TX	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Beaumont, TX	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	None ✓
Odessa, TX	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	None ✓
Tyler, TX	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	None ✓
Syracuse, NY	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	6.85%
Gainesville, FL	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Spokane, WA	$46K	$60K	$79K	95	None ✓
Colorado Springs, CO	$46K	$60K	$79K	102	4.55%
Greensboro, NC	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	4.75%
Winston-Salem, NC	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	4.75%
Chattanooga, TN	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Cincinnati, OH	$46K	$60K	$79K	88	3.99%
Detroit, MI	$46K	$60K	$79K	82	4.25%
Warren, MI	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	4.25%
Lansing, MI	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	4.25%
Kansas City, MO	$46K	$60K	$79K	90	5.3%
St. Louis, MO	$46K	$60K	$79K	86	5.3%
Independence, MO	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	5.3%
Indianapolis, IN	$46K	$60K	$79K	88	3.23%
Green Bay, WI	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	5.3%
Louisville, KY	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	5%
Lexington, KY	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	5%
Lafayette, LA	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	6%
Cedar Rapids, IA	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	4.82%
Kansas City, KS	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	5.7%
Lincoln, NE	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	5.84%
Rio Rancho, NM	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	5.9%
Great Falls, MT	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	6.75%
Casper, WY	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Bismarck, ND	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	2.5%
Sioux Falls, SD	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Rapid City, SD	$47K	$60K	$80K	88	None ✓
Fayetteville, AR	$46K	$60K	$79K	85	4.9%
Corpus Christi, TX	$46K	$59K	$78K	84	None ✓
Amarillo, TX	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	None ✓
Waco, TX	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	None ✓
Buffalo, NY	$46K	$59K	$78K	88	6.85%
Pueblo, CO	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	4.55%
Columbus, GA	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	5.75%
Augusta, GA	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	5.75%
Fayetteville, NC	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	4.75%
Clarksville, TN	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	None ✓
Cleveland, OH	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	3.99%
South Bend, IN	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	3.23%
Huntsville, AL	$46K	$59K	$78K	88	5%
Mobile, AL	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	5%
Broken Arrow, OK	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	4.75%
New Orleans, LA	$46K	$59K	$78K	92	6%
Des Moines, IA	$46K	$59K	$78K	88	4.82%
Davenport, IA	$46K	$59K	$78K	82	4.82%
Omaha, NE	$46K	$59K	$78K	88	5.84%
Killeen, TX	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	None ✓
Abilene, TX	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	None ✓
Rockford, IL	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	4.95%
Macon, GA	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5.75%
Toledo, OH	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	3.99%
Akron, OH	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	3.99%
Dayton, OH	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	3.99%
Erie, PA	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	3.07%
Springfield, MO	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5.3%
Fort Wayne, IN	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	3.23%
Evansville, IN	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	3.23%
Bowling Green, KY	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5%
Montgomery, AL	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5%
Norman, OK	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	4.75%
Shreveport, LA	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	6%
Las Cruces, NM	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5.9%
Jackson, MS	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	5%
Gulfport, MS	$45K	$58K	$77K	80	5%
Charleston, WV	$45K	$58K	$77K	78	6.5%
El Paso, TX	$44K	$57K	$75K	82	None ✓
Brownsville, TX	$44K	$57K	$76K	75	None ✓
Tucson, AZ	$44K	$57K	$75K	90	2.5%
Savannah, GA	$44K	$57K	$75K	92	5.75%
Memphis, TN	$44K	$57K	$75K	82	None ✓
Grand Rapids, MI	$44K	$57K	$75K	90	4.25%
Birmingham, AL	$44K	$57K	$75K	82	5%
Columbia, SC	$44K	$57K	$75K	88	6.5%
Oklahoma City, OK	$44K	$57K	$75K	82	4.75%
Baton Rouge, LA	$44K	$57K	$75K	88	6%
Albuquerque, NM	$44K	$57K	$75K	88	5.9%
Fort Smith, AR	$44K	$57K	$76K	75	4.9%
Huntington, WV	$44K	$57K	$76K	75	6.5%
Lubbock, TX	$43K	$56K	$74K	78	None ✓
Knoxville, TN	$43K	$56K	$74K	85	None ✓
Tulsa, OK	$43K	$56K	$74K	80	4.75%
Wichita, KS	$43K	$56K	$74K	82	5.7%
Laredo, TX	$42K	$55K	$72K	76	None ✓
Little Rock, AR	$42K	$55K	$72K	82	4.9%

COL-adjusted: where does your salary go furthest?

A $62K Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in Houston (COL 91, no tax) has significantly more purchasing power than the same salary in San Francisco (COL 224, 9.3% state tax). Use our calculator to see the real numbers.

Try COL Calculator →

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary Guide (2026)

The national median salary for a Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) is $62,000 per year. Entry-level positions typically start at $48,000, while experienced professionals in the top 25% earn $82,000 or more. The highest-paid 10% of Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s nationally earn $108,000+.

Education and requirements

Master's in Counseling; LMFT or LPC license. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which significantly expands the geographic job market for workers in lower cost-of-living cities.

Salary growth outlook

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) compensation is growing at 5.5% annually, well above the national average wage growth rate. Demand for qualified Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s significantly outpaces supply in most major metros.

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary FAQ

How much does a Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) make?

The median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in the US is $62,000 per year — about $30/hour. Most earn between $48,000 (25th percentile) and $82,000 (75th percentile).

What is the starting salary for a Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)?

Entry-level Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) positions typically start around $48,000 per year. Pay rises with experience, specialization, and location.

How much do the highest-paid Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s earn?

The top 10% of Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s earn $108,000 or more per year — usually senior, lead, or specialized professionals in high-cost or high-demand markets.

Which city pays Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s the most?

San Francisco has the highest median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary at $87K among the cities we track. But high-cost metros like San Francisco and New York often have lower real purchasing power once cost of living and taxes are factored in.

Are Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salaries going up?

Yes — Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) pay is growing about 5.5% year over year, above the US average wage-growth rate.

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salaryby City (2026)