Pursue additional training and education
Obtaining a specialized certification can make you more competitive for higher-paying jobs in specific areas of counseling, such as marriage and family therapy, substance abuse counseling, or trauma-focused therapy.
Pursuing an advanced degree such as a master’s in counseling, master’s in counseling psychology, master’s in family counseling or a PhD in counseling psychology or a related field can make you more competitive for leadership roles or higher-paying positions, such as a director of a mental health clinic or a professor of counseling.
Specialized training in evidence-based therapies such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), or mindfulness-based therapies can make you more competitive for positions that require expertise in these areas.
Look for opportunities in high-demand areas
Certain geographic areas or settings have a greater demand for mental health services, and thus may offer higher salaries to attract qualified professionals.
As noted above there are a number of cities with average LPC salaries of $70,000+ however if we look at the 5 lowest paying cities where the average LPC salary is just $30,000-$40,000 then it’s clear that geography plays a clear role in your career earnings. You will of course need to find a balance as many high demand areas may have a higher cost of living.
Gain more experience
This one is hard to shortcut but with more years of experience, you may become eligible for more advanced roles with higher salaries, such as a supervisor, program director, or clinical director.
The data shows that becoming a licensed professional counselor will likely mean you enjoy a progressively higher salary over the lifetime of your career.
