National Salary Overview
Marriage and Family Therapists
Median Salary
$65,325
Average (Mean)
$70,623
Employed Nationwide
64,840
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Marriage and Family Therapists earns $5,940 more (10.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$65,325
$59,385
Average (Mean) Salary
$70,623
$63,880
Total Employment
64,840
487,020
States with Higher Pay
28
17
Salary by State: Marriage and Family Therapists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Showing 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. Marriage and Family Therapists pays more in 28 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 17.
| State | Marriage and Family Therapists | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $49,990 | $47,310 | +$2,680 | ||
| Alaska | $60,010 | $80,770 | $-20,760 | ||
| Arizona | $65,290 | $65,300 | $-10 | ||
| Arkansas | $64,340 | $51,580 | +$12,760 | ||
| California | $67,300 | $59,250 | +$8,050 | ||
| Colorado | $60,700 | $62,390 | $-1,690 | ||
| Connecticut | $86,250 | $63,590 | +$22,660 | ||
| Delaware | $76,580 | $56,020 | +$20,560 | ||
| Florida | $56,400 | $56,790 | $-390 | ||
| Georgia | $91,550 | $58,960 | +$32,590 | ||
| Hawaii | $141,960 | $60,090 | +$81,870 | ||
| Idaho | $62,700 | $63,360 | $-660 | ||
| Illinois | $60,970 | $60,730 | +$240 | ||
| Indiana | $56,810 | $53,760 | +$3,050 | ||
| Iowa | $67,180 | $60,880 | +$6,300 | ||
| Kansas | $68,710 | $59,470 | +$9,240 | ||
| Kentucky | $52,420 | $54,190 | $-1,770 | ||
| Maine | $71,680 | $59,970 | +$11,710 | ||
| Maryland | $69,900 | $59,530 | +$10,370 | ||
| Massachusetts | $67,370 | $59,890 | +$7,480 | ||
| Michigan | $52,270 | $61,690 | $-9,420 | ||
| Minnesota | $72,470 | $58,780 | +$13,690 | ||
| Mississippi | $51,440 | $46,990 | +$4,450 | ||
| Missouri | $60,440 | $56,910 | +$3,530 | ||
| Montana | $46,960 | $59,000 | $-12,040 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,610 | $63,770 | $-1,160 | ||
| New Hampshire | $60,030 | $54,840 | +$5,190 | ||
| New Jersey | $92,150 | $62,820 | +$29,330 | ||
| New Mexico | $70,630 | $74,100 | $-3,470 | ||
| New York | $64,430 | $59,450 | +$4,980 | ||
| North Carolina | $48,100 | $55,490 | $-7,390 | ||
| Ohio | $70,240 | $58,360 | +$11,880 | ||
| Oklahoma | $57,670 | $59,350 | $-1,680 | ||
| Oregon | $91,520 | $74,590 | +$16,930 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $66,040 | $52,010 | +$14,030 | ||
| South Carolina | $55,430 | $52,370 | +$3,060 | ||
| South Dakota | $44,870 | $53,650 | $-8,780 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,700 | $49,580 | $-2,880 | ||
| Texas | $46,300 | $62,630 | $-16,330 | ||
| Utah | $84,980 | $63,890 | +$21,090 | ||
| Vermont | $62,780 | $61,810 | +$970 | ||
| Virginia | $79,900 | $59,880 | +$20,020 | ||
| Washington | $60,000 | $68,910 | $-8,910 | ||
| West Virginia | $55,700 | $49,430 | +$6,270 | ||
| Wisconsin | $37,870 | $62,220 | $-24,350 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Marriage and Family Therapists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Marriage and Family Therapists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Marriage and Family Therapists earns more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. The national median salary difference is $5,940 (10.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Marriage and Family Therapists earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Marriage and Family Therapists earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 28 out of 45 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 17 states.
What is the median salary for a Marriage and Family Therapists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Marriage and Family Therapists is $65,325 per year, compared to $59,385 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Marriage and Family Therapists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
There are more people employed as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. BLS reports approximately 64,840 Marriage and Family Therapists positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Marriage and Family Therapists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Marriage and Family Therapists and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
Explore Career Options
Build My Resume Get Certified & Earn More Find Remote & Flexible Jobs Learn a New LanguageCompare After-Tax Take-Home Pay
See what each role actually pays after federal, state, and FICA taxes.