How Much Does a Therapist Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$59,350
Therapists in the U.S. earn a median of $59,350 a year, or $28.53 an hour. Half of therapists earn more than $59,350 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $97,590.
Pay percentiles for therapists
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $18.72 | $38,940 |
| 25th | $22.65 | $47,100 |
| 50th (median) | $28.53 | $59,350 |
| 75th | $36.80 | $76,530 |
| 90th | $46.92 | $97,590 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for therapists
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,770 | $38.83 | +36% |
| Oregon | $74,590 | $35.86 | +26% |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | $35.63 | +25% |
| Washington | $68,910 | $33.13 | +16% |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | $33.00 | +16% |
| Arizona | $65,300 | $31.39 | +10% |
| Rhode Island | $65,120 | $31.31 | +10% |
| Utah | $63,890 | $30.72 | +8% |
| Nebraska | $63,770 | $30.66 | +7% |
| Connecticut | $63,590 | $30.57 | +7% |
| United States | $59,350 | $28.53 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many therapists are there?
BLS counts about 491,930 therapists employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). These figures cover the BLS occupation “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors”. The most jobs are in California (75,610), Pennsylvania (30,620) and Florida (29,750).
The mean (average) annual wage is $64,440, higher than the median of $59,350.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $4,946
- Biweekly
- $2,283
- Weekly
- $1,141
- Daily (8 hours)
- $228
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do therapists make an hour?
The median hourly wage for therapists is $28.53. The middle 50% earn between $22.65 and $36.80 an hour.
Which state pays therapists the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for therapists at $80,770, +36% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for therapists?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of therapists earn less than $38,940 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.