How much does a marriage counselor make


Marriage and Family Therapists

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Diagnose and treat mental and emotional disorders, whether cognitive, affective, or behavioral, within the context of marriage and family systems. Apply psychotherapeutic and family systems theories and techniques in the delivery of services to individuals, couples, and families for the purpose of treating such diagnosed nervous and mental disorders. Excludes Psychologists (19-3032 through 19-3039) and Social Workers (21-1020).


National estimates for Marriage and Family Therapists
Industry profile for Marriage and Family Therapists
Geographic profile for Marriage and Family Therapists

National estimates for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Employment estimate and mean wage estimates for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Employment (1) Employment
RSE (3)
Mean hourly
wage
Mean annual
wage (2)
Wage RSE (3)
54,800 3. 4 % $ 28.69 $ 59,660 1.5 %

Percentile wage estimates for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Percentile 10% 25% 50%
(Median)
75% 90%
Hourly Wage $ 17.81 $ 20.63 $ 23.98 $ 36.25 $ 46.41
Annual Wage (2) $ 37,050 $ 42,910 $ 49,880 $ 75,410 $ 96,520


Industry profile for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Industries with the highest published employment and wages for Marriage and Family Therapists are provided. For a list of all industries with employment in Marriage and Family Therapists, see the Create Customized Tables function.

Industries with the highest levels of employment in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Individual and Family Services 18,780 0.71 $ 26.36 $ 54,820
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 15,310 1. 57 $ 28.73 $ 59,760
Outpatient Care Centers 6,980 0.71 $ 30.21 $ 62,830
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation) 4,300 0.20 $ 37.48 $ 77,960
Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities 2,070 0. 34 $ 27.13 $ 56,420

Industries with the highest concentration of employment in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Offices of Other Health Practitioners 15,310 1.57 $ 28.73 $ 59,760
Outpatient Care Centers 6,980 0. 71 $ 30.21 $ 62,830
Individual and Family Services 18,780 0.71 $ 26.36 $ 54,820
Other Residential Care Facilities 770 0.51 $ 25.44 $ 52,910
Community Food and Housing, and Emergency and Other Relief Services 800 0.42 $ 22. 07 $ 45,900

Top paying industries for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Industry Employment (1) Percent of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Home Health Care Services (8) (8) $ 47.01 $ 97,780
State Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation) 4,300 0. 20 $ 37.48 $ 77,960
Local Government, excluding schools and hospitals (OEWS Designation) 910 0.02 $ 35.65 $ 74,160
General Medical and Surgical Hospitals 710 0.01 $ 34.17 $ 71,060
Offices of Physicians 950 0.04 $ 33. 94 $ 70,600


Geographic profile for Marriage and Family Therapists:

States and areas with the highest published employment, location quotients, and wages for Marriage and Family Therapists are provided. For a list of all areas with employment in Marriage and Family Therapists, see the Create Customized Tables function.

States with the highest employment level in Marriage and Family Therapists:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
California 25,870 1. 57 4.02 $ 28.52 $ 59,320
New Jersey 4,120 1.07 2.75 $ 39.10 $ 81,330
Illinois 2,540 0.45 1.16 $ 25.75 $ 53,560
Minnesota 2,310 0. 84 2.17 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Florida 2,240 0.26 0.67 $ 22.31 $ 46,410

States with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Marriage and Family Therapists:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
California 25,870 1. 57 4.02 $ 28.52 $ 59,320
New Jersey 4,120 1.07 2.75 $ 39.10 $ 81,330
Minnesota 2,310 0.84 2.17 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Utah 910 0. 59 1.51 $ 41.58 $ 86,490
Oklahoma 830 0.53 1.37 $ 27.99 $ 58,210

Top paying states for Marriage and Family Therapists:

State Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Utah 910 0. 59 1.51 $ 41.58 $ 86,490
New Jersey 4,120 1.07 2.75 $ 39.10 $ 81,330
Colorado 1,130 0.43 1.10 $ 35.11 $ 73,040
Minnesota 2,310 0. 84 2.17 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Nevada 310 0.24 0.62 $ 32.02 $ 66,600

Metropolitan areas with the highest employment level in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,880 1. 90 4.89 $ 26.81 $ 55,760
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA 3,590 2.58 6.64 $ 25.16 $ 52,340
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA 3,270 0.38 0.97 $ 36.58 $ 76,090
San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA 2,400 1. 07 2.75 $ 34.88 $ 72,550
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI 2,080 0.49 1.26 $ 26.54 $ 55,200
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA 1,740 1.14 2.93 $ 28.10 $ 58,450
Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA 1,400 1. 43 3.67 $ 30.12 $ 62,660
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI 1,370 0.75 1.93 $ 33.33 $ 69,330
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,360 0.51 1.32 $ 34.65 $ 72,060
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA 1,120 1. 05 2.70 $ 33.72 $ 70,130

Metropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Mankato-North Mankato, MN 180 3.45 8.88 $ 34. 46 $ 71,670
San Diego-Carlsbad, CA 3,590 2.58 6.64 $ 25.16 $ 52,340
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA 220 1.97 5.06 $ 24.78 $ 51,530
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 10,880 1. 90 4.89 $ 26.81 $ 55,760
Napa, CA 130 1.83 4.71 $ 26.22 $ 54,540
Modesto, CA 330 1.81 4.66 $ 26.98 $ 56,120
Rochester, MN 200 1. 74 4.46 $ 36.67 $ 76,280
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ 200 1.69 4.34 $ 37.56 $ 78,120
Santa Rosa, CA 310 1.62 4.17 $ 33.89 $ 70,480
Chico, CA 120 1. 57 4.02 $ 26.63 $ 55,390

Top paying metropolitan areas for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Metropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Kingston, NY 30 0.61 1.56 $ 54.85 $ 114,090
Salt Lake City, UT 370 0. 50 1.30 $ 43.59 $ 90,670
Provo-Orem, UT 230 0.84 2.16 $ 41.47 $ 86,260
Ogden-Clearfield, UT 120 0.46 1.17 $ 41.08 $ 85,450
Trenton, NJ 320 1. 39 3.59 $ 40.35 $ 83,940
St. George, UT 90 1.16 2.99 $ 39.07 $ 81,270
Yuba City, CA 40 0.87 2.23 $ 38.25 $ 79,560
Boulder, CO (8) (8) (8) $ 38. 19 $ 79,440
Vallejo-Fairfield, CA 160 1.25 3.20 $ 37.67 $ 78,350
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ 200 1.69 4.34 $ 37.56 $ 78,120

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest employment in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 140 0. 79 2.03 $ 29.59 $ 61,550
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 120 0.79 2.04 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area 110 0.68 1.75 $ 30.79 $ 64,030
Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 110 0. 80 2.05 $ 22.29 $ 46,370
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area 90 0.90 2.33 $ 28.40 $ 59,070

Nonmetropolitan areas with the highest concentration of jobs and location quotients in Marriage and Family Therapists:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area 90 0. 90 2.33 $ 28.40 $ 59,070
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area 50 0.87 2.24 $ 26.89 $ 55,940
Western Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area 110 0.80 2.05 $ 22.29 $ 46,370
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 120 0. 79 2.04 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 140 0.79 2.03 $ 29.59 $ 61,550

Top paying nonmetropolitan areas for Marriage and Family Therapists:

Nonmetropolitan area Employment (1) Employment per thousand jobs Location quotient (9) Hourly mean wage Annual mean wage (2)
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 120 0. 79 2.04 $ 33.01 $ 68,660
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area 60 0.54 1.40 $ 31.31 $ 65,120
Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area 110 0.68 1.75 $ 30.79 $ 64,030
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area 50 0. 51 1.31 $ 30.35 $ 63,130
Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area 140 0.79 2.03 $ 29.59 $ 61,550


About May 2021 National, State, Metropolitan, and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

These estimates are calculated with data collected from employers in all industry sectors, all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas, and all states and the District of Columbia. The top employment and wage figures are provided above. The complete list is available in the downloadable XLS files.

The percentile wage estimate is the value of a wage below which a certain percent of workers fall. The median wage is the 50th percentile wage estimate—50 percent of workers earn less than the median and 50 percent of workers earn more than the median. More about percentile wages.

(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.

(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a "year-round, full-time" hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

(3) The relative standard error (RSE) is a measure of the reliability of a survey statistic. The smaller the relative standard error, the more precise the estimate.

(8) Estimate not released.

(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.


Other OEWS estimates and related information:

May 2021 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Area Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 National Industry-Specific Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates

May 2021 Occupation Profiles

Technical Notes

 

Last Modified Date: March 31, 2022

Marriage therapist salary ‐ CareerExplorer

The average salary for a marriage therapist in the United States is around $49,880 per year.

$37k Bottom 20%

$49.9k Median

$96. 5k Top 20%

Marriage therapists earn an average yearly salary of $49,880.
Wages typically start from $37,050 and go up to $96,520.

12% below national average ● Updated in 2021

In this article:

  1. How much does a marriage therapist make in the United States?
  2. How do marriage therapist salaries compare to similar careers

Marriage therapist earnings by seniority

Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.

Marriage therapist salary by state

State Name Average Salary
Maine $86,060
New Jersey $77,960
Utah $75,940
Minnesota $65,150
Wisconsin $62,430
Colorado $62,280
Nevada $61,330
Michigan $59,910
New York $59,760
Connecticut $59,330
Alaska $59,190
Oklahoma $55,660
Texas $54,920
Delaware $52,310
Ohio $50,530
Kentucky $49,720
California $49,650
Hawaii $49,650
Oregon $49,650
Massachusetts $49,630
Maryland $49,630
Idaho $49,440
New Mexico $49,410
Arizona $49,360
Virginia $49,130
Arkansas $49,070
Indiana $48,690
North Dakota $48,540
District of Columbia $47,740
Wyoming $47,600
Pennsylvania $47,380
Illinois $47,320
Washington $47,130
Missouri $47,050
Nebraska $47,040
Georgia $46,910
Iowa $46,910
Florida $46,900
Mississippi $46,860
Kansas $46,740
South Dakota $46,640
New Hampshire $46,490
South Carolina $46,030
Alabama $44,820
Montana $44,450
North Carolina $43,670
West Virginia $38,830
Tennessee $38,520
Louisiana $24,800

How do marriage therapist salaries compare to similar careers?

Marriage therapists earn about the same as related careers in the United States. On average, they make less than school counselors but more than credit counselors.

Career Median Salary
School counselor salary $61K
Counselor salary $55K
Marriage therapist salary $50K
Substance abuse social worker salary $49K
Clergy salary $50K
Family social worker salary $49K
Credit counselor salary $48K

Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)

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How much does a psychologist earn in Russia, USA

Author Roman Belousov To read 5 min Views 11.8k. Updated by

Today we analyze how much psychologists earn in Russia, in the USA. Let's take a closer look at what he does, where to study for him.

The profession of a psychologist in our country has long been underestimated. Now its importance is finally recognized by society. But until now, some features of the profession have not been clarified: how much do psychologists earn, where can they apply their knowledge, how much are psychologists in demand?

These and other questions concern future specialists. And the main criterion for choosing a profession in our country is still the amount of wages. Let us dwell in more detail on how much an ordinary and not quite ordinary psychologist earns in different countries.

Contents

  1. Why a psychologist is needed
  2. What does a psychologist do
  3. How much do psychologists earn in Russia
  4. How much do psychologists earn in the USA
  5. How to develop an additional psychologist

Why you need a psychologist

Before you know how much a psychologist earns, you need to understand what duties are assigned to him and what he actually does. Thus, it will be possible to measure labor, value for the individual and society, and wages.

If we consider a narrow specialization - a child school psychologist, a psychologist at an enterprise, a private or family psychologist - then everyone will have their own list of job responsibilities. But there are a few basic ones that are common to all.

What a psychologist does

  • organizes various psychological trainings to identify problems;
  • consults people, provides them with psychological assistance;
  • develops and reveals certain skills and abilities of people;
  • helps to adapt to new conditions.

A psychologist has a responsible mission - to understand the essence of problems, to look for ways to solve them, to be able to professionally communicate with people. His psychological burden is very high. Psychologists would also benefit from the help of colleagues, but as always happens - "a shoemaker without boots. " But more often this is not the case, and every psychologist, at the same time with his work, goes to another psychologist, solving his internal problems and plugs. The pay for such work should be decent. Is it so? In which countries is the invisible work of psychologists more visible?

How much do psychologists earn in Russia? And they all have different income levels. How much psychologists earn in Russia directly depends on their place of work. These figures are influenced by experience and education.

The salary of a psychologist in a preschool or school can be only about $100 a month, while an experienced criminal specialist can earn up to $800 in one month.

Forensic psychologists are the highest paid workers in this field. The average salary of a psychologist (both private and public) is about $450. The income of psychologists increases in proportion to the standard of living in the locality. In small towns, it will be lower than in metropolitan areas.

How much do psychologists earn in the USA

The United States of America is the most developed country that has learned to appreciate the work of psychologists and understood, almost before anyone else, the importance of these “soul healers”. I think that this is natural, because in the United States a huge number of suicides and terrorist attacks are committed due to depressive disorders among the population.

The fast rhythm of life, the vast territories of the country and the myriad of people - all this puts psychological pressure on the inhabitants of the states. Here psychologists are in demand, and their work is highly paid. Finding a private psychologist in America is not difficult, but paying for a course of sessions can be a problem. “How much do psychologists in the USA earn,” you ask, “if not everyone can afford their help?”

Profession psychologist according to U.S. statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics is in the top 15 most paid. Monthly income is approximately $5000-$7000. In addition, psychologists have an excellent opportunity to open a private practice, where they will earn from $50 to $150 per hour, or even more - $1000.

An example of a successful psychologist is Wendy Rhoads from Billions, who made six figures working for "Bobby" Axelrod. It is clear that any psychologist will not be hired for such a position, but she deserved it with her wisdom and knowledge, and also devotion. This is really important for businessmen like Robert.

How much a private or public psychologist earns, how much a child or clinical psychologist earns is a question that worries not only professionals who want to get more, but also patients who are not ready to overpay for services.

Comparing the salaries of psychologists in private practice in three countries, we can conclude that the level of salaries is absolutely logical and is not artificially high or low. The more experience a psychologist has, the more actively and deeply he develops, the more people will go to him. Therefore, newly minted university graduates should not stop at basic knowledge and should constantly develop, attend new courses, seminars and use other opportunities to improve their own skills.

How to develop a psychologist additionally

  • Read professional and popular literature.
  • Study cases from the private practice of world luminaries.
  • Attend specialized courses.
  • Take master classes with famous psychologists.
  • Work with people for results.

Of course, you can chase a higher level of salaries and go to work abroad, but it is worth remembering that the profession of a psychologist in Russia has just begun to gain popularity and salary growth is yet to come.

Be always with money!

How to become a psychologist - duties, salary and career prospects

Helping people in the most difficult life situations, talking to them or just being there - these and other reasons lead to the fact that more and more people want to become psychologists. In this article we will understand how psychologists differ from psychiatrists, and also find out what a psychologist does after all. Find out how you can become a psychologist, how much they earn and why becoming an Au Pair can help you in your job.

What is a psychologist?

The meaning of the term "psychologist" in each country is different. For example, in Germany, you can only call yourself a psychologist after completing your master's degree. Psychotherapist is a person who has completed post-graduate training, which lasts at least 3 years. And psychiatrist is one who has studied medicine and received training in psychiatry.

However, in the USA, for example, you will be a psychologist even if you have only completed your undergraduate degree. Therapist is more of an umbrella term for various kinds of counselors such as psychotherapists, marriage counselors and so on.

Moreover, there are special psychologists for children and teenagers, which, of course, can seem like a very attractive area for people who are thinking about becoming an Au Pair. In this article, we will focus mainly on the profession of psychotherapist, because this is what most people mean when they talk about psychologists.

Psychology is a science that deals with description, explanation and modification of human behavior. It is often said that psychologists manipulate people. In a sense, this is true: they try to “make” people avoid certain behaviors (such as alcohol or drug abuse), encourage non-violent communication, and prevent dangerous behaviors (such as suicide or other self-harm).

Whether it is a bachelor's degree or a doctorate, people working in the broad field of psychology are concerned with the study of the human psyche and its mental problems. They also treat emotional and behavioral problems that a person of any age may experience. Psychologists help people deal with personal problems such as emotional, mental or behavioral disorders. Some of them also conduct and publish scientific research; others work in business, such as corporate psychologists or market researchers.

Tasks of a psychologist

The general task of a psychologist is to study a person's behavior and understand how he reacts in certain situations. Most patients suffer from certain behaviors such as panic attacks, depression or phobias. Therefore, psychologists need to make sure that they really understand the deep foundations of human problems. To do this, they often use specific methods from a specific therapeutic approach or direction. For example, in Behavioral Therapy psychologists confront people with their fears and try to help them learn new behaviors. In psychoanalysis you can imagine a scenario like in some movie about Freud: very often the patient is lying on the couch, and the therapist listens, takes notes and analyzes, for example, the patient's dream.

If we describe the different tasks of a psychologist, they are approximately as follows:

  • promote your practice so that people know about it
  • understand the patient's situation and ask questions
  • diagnose disorder
  • draw up a therapy plan that includes expected progress
  • use the specific methods taught during the training (debating techniques)
  • paperwork (in some countries, patients must pay privately, in others, health insurance companies require proof that a therapy session has taken place)
  • help patients become aware of internal conflicts
  • get supervision from other therapists to deal with the patient's situation
  • assist and supervise other therapists

Working conditions

The working conditions of a psychologist differ depending on the area in which he / she works . You can meet the psychologist at:

  • hospitals
  • psychiatric and rehabilitation clinics
  • private offices
  • in non-governmental organizations
  • companies
  • schools
  • prisons
  • universities and other places.

The potential job opportunities for psychologists are endless, especially when looking at areas related to business. When you work at Psychiatric Clinic as a psychologist, you often have a fairly similar routine with many different patients. Initially, the clinical team discusses new cases and patient development. When working in a hospital, psychologists often deal with difficult cases, such as people with eating disorders, addictions, or suicidal thoughts. It can often be quite difficult to deal with such topics, but the staff is trained to deal with it and support each other.

schools also have people who help children resolve conflicts with other children or monitor children's development. They may intervene when they notice ADHD, autism, or learning difficulties.

Forensic psychologists who work in prisons deal with inmates who have committed a crime. Their duties often include preparing an expert opinion on the possibilities of a person's reintegration or conducting psychotherapy with people in order to understand their behavior and the reasons that caused it.

There are also psychologists working overseas, such as in war zones. Since this extremely difficult situation causes trauma, psychologists are trying to help people in order to prevent long-term consequences.

How to become a psychologist

Of course, in each country, the path to becoming a psychologist is different. Therefore, we will tell you about general requirements, that you need to fulfill in order to become a psychologist.

  • Get a bachelor's degree : no matter what country you live in, you need to at least have a bachelor's degree. Make sure that you have good enough grades in high school and that you have successfully passed the texts and exams required for admission.
  • Get a Master's Degree: In most countries, you need to add a master's degree to your resume if you want to work in your field. There are often more applicants than available places, so think ahead about how you can stand out, whether it's excellent grades or publications in scientific journals.
  • Get a PhD or PhD: this item is optional, but there are countries where only people with a doctorate can treat patients. There is also a special degree in the US called the Doctor of Psychology (Psy. D.). Like a Ph.D., this is a doctoral degree, but with a more practical focus and is ideal for those who do not want to work at a university, but want to work directly with people.
  • Obtain a license : In many countries, a license allows you to treat patients and certifies your qualifications in this field. However, obtaining a license may not be easy: it often requires practical experience in a hospital and a lot of theoretical training.

Every person who wants to become a psychologist must be very committed to this dream, because it is a very long way. Depending on the country, it will take you 6-10 years to see your first patient. You have to be prepared for a long learning curve and be able to endure those years of low or no income and uncertainty when you don't know if the next step will work or not.

How much does a psychologist earn?

We have already said that becoming a psychologist takes many years and a lot of study effort. But these efforts pay off: in almost all countries the psychologist earns more than the average. We have collected information on salaries in some countries:

  • Ireland : In Ireland, the average salary is about 34,000 euros per year. However, the salary of a psychologist varies between 48,000-80,000 euros, depending on the field of activity, position and responsibility.
  • US : Most college students in the US can expect to earn around $55,000 a year. But with a degree in psychology, you can start with a salary of $100,000 and increase over the course of your life to $150,000 or more. This is also due to the fact that therapy is often paid for privately. Therefore, the income range of private psychologists is practically unlimited.
  • Germany : As a certified psychotherapist, you can earn around €50,000 at the entry level. The salary increases to €70,000 if you have been in the public service for more than 15 years. However, you can earn more by having your own practice. In this case, your annual income will be € 72,000-150,000.
  • Italy : As in any other country, the salary depends on the position held. Holding the highest position in the field of psychology, in Italy you can earn up to € 42,000 per year.
  • France : The average salary for a psychologist in France is €52,000, however the range is between €37,000 and €65,000.
  • Canada : In Canada, the range is even wider, with entry-level salaries around $33,000, while a highly experienced professional can earn over $100,000.
  • Australia : With some work experience, you can earn around A$70,000 per year as a psychologist in Australia.

Should I become a psychologist? - Skills and qualifications

The question of whether or not you should really become a psychologist depends largely on two factors: your emotional skills and your perseverance. The work of a psychologist is emotionally intense. You will see a lot of suffering and sadness that can affect you too. You will be dealing with people who are in very difficult situations in life. Think carefully about whether you want to choose this path, and practice as much as possible during your internship or volunteer work.

On the other hand, this career is time-consuming and can cost a lot of money. If you want to start making good money right after your studies, it will be difficult for you to do this by working as a psychologist, because you will have to invest in your further education . What's more, while your friends were building houses and starting families, you were still thinking about your next exam. This way of life is suitable only for those who have the endurance to strive for their goal.

To become a psychologist, you need to have at least some qualities from the list below:

  • curiosity about human nature
  • empathy and compassion
  • organized work style
  • listening skills
  • passion for profession
  • patience
  • the ability to take care of your well-being and not mix life with work
  • understanding coping strategies
  • ability to distance themselves from patient stories
  • good memory
  • ability and desire to learn throughout life
  • dedication

How Au Pair experience will help you become a psychologist

If you want to become a psychologist, you will have to constantly study. Although the hands-on experience plays an important role in preparing you for the future, it is not part of the curriculum. The practice usually lasts only a few weeks and you may not have the opportunity to interact with patients. But you can test your emotional and social skills before the start of the entire training process if you become an Au Pair.

You will be able to acquire or develop some of the skills that we mentioned in the above list. You will need to work on a schedule, especially if you will be taking care of multiple children. You will listen to the concerns, thoughts and daily life experiences of children. Living in the same house as people you work for in some way is also great for building boundaries. In general, taking a gap year (academic leave) and living in a country with a different culture is an invaluable advantage for those who really want to work with people later. If you need more information on how to become an Au Pair, you can find our step by step guide here.


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