Salary Outlook PhD in Marriage & Family Therapy Degree
Getting your Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy (DMFT) is an excellent educational choice because it can lead to a personally and financially rewarding career. A marriage and family therapist helps couples and families to address the behaviors of all family members and how those behaviors affect each family member but also the entire family.
Some of the physical and psychological problems that are treated by a marriage and family therapist include:
- Marriage and couple conflict
- Parent and child conflict
- Alcohol and drug abuse
- Sexual dysfunction
- Grief and distress
- Eating disorders and weight problems
Marriage and family therapists also work on many mental health problems in the family, such as depression, anxiety and schizophrenia, and the ways these problems affect the family. (Psychologytoday.com)
Salary Outlook for Psychologists
As you are considering a career in marriage and family therapy with a PhD, it is a good idea to look at the general salary outlook for psychologists. The Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS states the median salary for all psychologists is $92,740. The lowest 10% salary is $52,430 and salaries in the top 10% start at $151,880. Professionals with a PhD in marriage and family therapy or psychology would tend to earn at the higher end of the salary range.
Median annual salaries for specific types of psychologists are:
- All other psychologists: $117,750
- Industrial organizational psychologists: $147,420
- Clinical and counseling psychologists: $96,100
- School psychologists: $84,940
Annual median salaries for psychologists in top industries are:
- Government: $115,400
- Hospitals: $102,660
- Ambulatory healthcare services: $98,380
- Elementary and secondary schools: $84,750
Salary Outlook for Marriage and Family Therapists
The median annual salary for marriage and family therapists is $58,510. The lowest 10% salary is $39,090, and top 10% salaries start at $104,710 per year.
SEE ALSO: What is a PsyD in Marriage Family Therapy Degree?
Also, average annual wages in this profession vary according to the industry in which you work:
- State government: $84,770
- Outpatient care centers: $67,600
- Offices of healthcare practitioners: $67,230
- Individual and family services: $67,150
The average annual salary for marriage and family therapists nationwide is $68,730.
Salary Increases With Experience
Professionals often choose to earn their PhD in marriage and family therapy, as well as psychology, for two major reasons. First, you generally need a PhD in these related fields to practice on your own. Also, you will earn a higher salary with a PhD and more experience in marriage and family therapy and psychology.
Marriage and family therapist tend to earn a higher salary over time as experience increases. A marriage and family therapist just entering the field can consider the bottom 10% salary of $39,090, while a therapist with one to four years of experience can look at the bottom 25% salary of $45,250. A marriage and family therapist with five to nine years of experience can eye the top 25% salary of $78,440. A therapist with 10 to 19 years of experience can look towards the top 10% salaries that start at $104,710 annually.
Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy Outlook
The general employment outlook for psychologists and related fields such as marriage and family therapy is strong. As the US population is growing older, more Americans are seeking help for their mental health, family and personal problems. BLS states that overall employment for psychologists will grow by 7% between 2023 and 2033. This is faster than average when compared to other occupations. Also, employment of clinical and counseling psychologists is forecast to increase by 13.3%. (BLS.gov)
SEE ALSO: Online DMFT in Marriage & Family Therapy
BLS also reports the job outlook for marriage and family therapists specifically is excellent. A 16.2% increase in jobs in this field is forecast between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than average.
Growth will occur because of the higher use of integrated care, which is treating multiple health-related problems at once by several healthcare professionals. In the integrated care process, marriage and family therapists work with counselors in substance abuse, behavior disorders, and mental health counseling to deal with the patient’s issues as an integrated team.
Conclusion
Today there are more than 60,000 marriage and family therapists working in the US. Marriage and family therapy was voted as one of the best careers by US News and World Report. Also, membership in the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has increased to more than 25,000 since 2025. Growth in the marriage and family therapy field is due to greater public awareness of the importance of a healthy family life.
Marriage and family therapists have many exciting career options so there will always be plenty of good work with a solid salary. Common places where marriage and family therapists work with a PhD include:
- Mental health clinics
- Social outreach clinics
- Hospitals
- Private practice
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Family services
- Government agencies
- Schools
The field will continue to grow rapidly, and those with a PhD and more years of experience will have an edge in getting the best jobs in marriage and family therapy. With an advanced degree, you definitely will be in line to have a highly rewarding career where you can help people, and also earn a salary of $90,000, $100,000 and even more.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Psychologists and Marriage and Family Therapists is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed February 2025.