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The differences between marriage and family therapists and clinical counselors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a marriage and family therapist and a clinical counselor. Additionally, a marriage and family therapist has an average salary of $57,856, which is higher than the $54,191 average annual salary of a clinical counselor.
The top three skills for a marriage and family therapist include social work, patients and crisis intervention. The most important skills for a clinical counselor are social work, patients, and foster care.
| Marriage And Family Therapist | Clinical Counselor | |
| Yearly salary | $57,856 | $54,191 |
| Hourly rate | $27.82 | $26.05 |
| Growth rate | 14% | 17% |
| Number of jobs | 114,361 | 146,133 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Marriage and family therapists are health professionals who are licensed to diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders of married couples and families. These therapists are required to treat patients with issues such as child and adolescent behavioral problems, depression and anxiety, and marital conflicts. They must observe the interaction of people within units while evaluating and resolving their issues with relationships. Marriage and family therapists must also guide their clients to go through transitional crises such as divorce or death.
A Clinical Counselor interviews clients to assess their mental health and behavioral problems. They examine issues such as substance abuse, depression, stress, aging and self-image.
Marriage and family therapists and clinical counselors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Marriage And Family Therapist | Clinical Counselor | |
| Average salary | $57,856 | $54,191 |
| Salary range | Between $41,000 And $80,000 | Between $43,000 And $67,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bensalem, PA | Bethesda, MD |
| Highest paying state | Pennsylvania | Maryland |
| Best paying company | Henderson Behavioral Health | Novo Nordisk |
| Best paying industry | Government | Professional |
There are a few differences between a marriage and family therapist and a clinical counselor in terms of educational background:
| Marriage And Family Therapist | Clinical Counselor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 57% | Bachelor's Degree, 55% |
| Most common major | Psychology | Psychology |
| Most common college | California State University - Long Beach | California State University - Long Beach |
Here are the differences between marriage and family therapists' and clinical counselors' demographics:
| Marriage And Family Therapist | Clinical Counselor | |
| Average age | 41 | 41 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 24.3% Female, 75.7% | Male, 28.4% Female, 71.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 5.5% Hispanic or Latino, 13.9% Asian, 4.6% White, 68.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% | Black or African American, 11.3% Unknown, 5.9% Hispanic or Latino, 12.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 67.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% |
| LGBT Percentage | 6% | 15% |