How much does a mental health therapist make in california

$56,316

Avg. Base Salary (USD)

The average salary for a Mental Health Therapist is $56,316

EXPLORE BY:

What is the Pay by Experience Level for Mental Health Therapists?

An entry-level Mental Health Therapist with less than 1 year experience can expect to earn an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of $50,348 based on 5 salaries. An early career Mental Health Therapist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation of $56,094 based on 43 …Read more

What Do Mental Health Therapists Do?

The descriptor "mental health therapist" includes a variety of professionals that conduct therapy as part of their daily responsibilities, such as clinical psychologists, marriage and family therapists, school therapists, social workers, and general therapists. Therapy includes the use of psychological methods - such as cognitive behavioral therapy and psychoanalysis - to help patients overcome behavioral and psychological obstacles and problems. Techniques used by mental health therapist …Read more

Mental Health Therapist Tasks

  • Interact with clients, provide therapy, and suggest specific services.
  • Write progress notes and coordinate with other care providers.
  • Monitor for and intervene in crisis situations.
  • Document and report on interactions, concerns, treatment, and attendance.

What is the highest pay for Mental Health Therapists in Los Angeles?

Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Mental Health Therapist in Los Angeles is $72k / year

What is the lowest pay for Mental Health Therapists in Los Angeles?

Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Mental Health Therapist in Los Angeles is $52k / year

How can Mental Health Therapists increase their salary?

Increasing your pay as a Mental Health Therapist is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Mental Health Therapist that oversees more junior Mental Health Therapists, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.

Home » Mental Health Counseling » Salary

Mental Health Counseling Salary: What You’ll Earn

Mental health counseling salaries are good, but you’ll get even more with the personal rewards you earn.

How much does a mental health therapist make in california
How much does a mental health therapist make in california

Mental health counselors help clients with issues such as depression, OCD and PTSD overcome their challenges and develop into healthier human beings.

And although they may not become rich, mental health counselors can make a good living.

Keep reading to find out just what your earning potential is, and compare it to the salary of other counselors and therapists.

Median Annual Salary

What’s my earning potential?

Salaries for mental health counselors in the top 10% earned more than $77,980 according to the BLS. As with most psychology careers, experience and location play an enormous factor in salary. Those working in private practice generally earn a higher income than their counterparts—as well as enjoy the benefits of a flexible schedule—although it can take up to five lean years to build up a strong client base.

How do mental health counselor salaries compare to other counseling careers?

Is there demand for this career?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, career employment for mental health counselors is expected to grow much faster than average as more people turn to professionals to help them cope with mental problems. In fact the BLS predicts a 22 percent job growth rate through 2031, much faster than the national average for all career fields combined. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth. Also, insurance companies provide for the reimbursement of counselors and therapists as a less costly alternative to psychiatric and psychological treatment.

How much competition will I face for a job?

Job prospects should be good for those choosing to enter the field as approximately 25 percent of North Americans suffer from diagnosable mental health issues each year. With the increasing awareness of the related social, political and economic impacts of these problems, there is a greater need for professional mental health counselors.

What kind of companies hire mental health counselors?

People in mental health counseling will work in a variety of settings, including mental health centers, substance abuse treatment centers, hospitals, in private practice, and in employee assistance programs. According to the BLS, mental health counselors are most frequently employed by the following types of industries or offices:

  • Individual and Family Services
  • Outpatient Care Centers
  • Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
  • Local Government
  • Offices of Other Health Practitioners

How do I advance in my mental health counseling career?

Being a mental health counselor is not only rewarding, it’s also a gateway career to other professions. For those who have earned a master’s degree in counseling, you can earn a master’s in social work (MSW) or another counseling area. This, as well as getting your mandatory license, will open your career options and allow you to move into other areas of counseling, such as rehabilitation counseling, substance abuse counseling, marriage and family counseling and educational counseling.

How much does a mental therapist make in California?

While ZipRecruiter is seeing salaries as high as $141,507 and as low as $32,273, the majority of Mental Health Therapist salaries currently range between $53,126 (25th percentile) to $91,854 (75th percentile) with top earners (90th percentile) making $121,148 annually in California.

What kind of therapist makes the most money?

Psychiatrist positions are by far the highest-paying jobs for psychology majors. The average salary is $217,798, according to PayScale. A psychiatrist should be licensed as a board-certified psychologist.

What type of mental health therapist makes the most money?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary for counselors of all types was about $45,200. School counselors are the highest paid counseling jobs on our list, with a 2021 median salary of about $63,500.

What is the highest paid job in California?

Highest-paying jobs in California.