Mental HealthUpdated Q1 2026No state income tax

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary
in Tacoma, WA

Provide individual and family therapy for mental health and relationship issues. Median salary in Tacoma: $68K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$68K
per year
Take-home: $48K

Salary range in Tacoma

Entry level (25th)$53,000
Median (50th)$68,000
Senior (75th)$90,000
Top earner (90th)$119,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Tacoma, Washington. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Tacoma

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

10% premium vs national median

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s in Tacoma earn approximately 10% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $6,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Tacoma's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Tacoma's cost-of-living index (128), the median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary buys the equivalent of $53,125 in a US-average-cost city. That's $8,875 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

No state income tax β€” $6K effective edge

Washington has no state income tax, which is worth roughly $6,324 per year at this salary level compared to a California Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) on the same gross pay. A Tacoma Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) would need to earn $74,972 in California to net the same take-home.

Key facts for Tacoma

Median salary
$68K
annual
Take-home pay
$48K
after fed/state tax
COL index
128
100 = US avg
State income tax
None
no-tax state
Avg 1BR rent
$1,750
per month
YoY growth
+5.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Tacoma Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $68K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Tacoma

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$57K$62K$67K$72K$77K201920212023202520272029
2026
$70K
projected
2027
$71K
projected
2028
$73K
projected
2029
$75K
projected
2030
$77K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$68,000+$0
2028 projected$68,000+$0
2029 projected$68,000+$0
2030 projected$68,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) Salary in Tacoma, Washington: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in Tacoma, WA is $68,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Tacoma–WA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) in Tacoma

Entry-level Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s in Tacoma with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $53,000 and $68,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $68,000 to $90,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $90,000 to $119,000 or more.

Cost of living in Tacoma for Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s

Tacoma has a cost of living index of 128 compared to the US national average of 100. Tacoma's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Crucially, Washington has no state income tax β€” giving Tacoma-based Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)s an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).

Education requirements for Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC)

Master's in Counseling; LMFT or LPC license. This role is 55% remote-eligible nationally, which can significantly expand the job market for Tacoma-based professionals.

Licensed Therapist (LMFT/LPC) salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Tacoma (current)$68K128
Seattle$76K150
Spokane$60K95
Vancouver$73K118
Bellevue$109K175
Kirkland$100K162