What Does a Credit Counselor Do? Duties, Pay & Outlook

What does a credit counselor do?

Credit counselors advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt, and may set up debt management plans. The median pay is $52,230 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about Moderate on-the-job training, and employment is projected to grow +3.3% from 2025–35.

Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026

Median pay
$52,230
$25.11/hour · May 2025
Job growth
+3.3%
2025–35, about as fast as average
Openings per year
2,000
Average, 2025–35
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree
BLS classification
Time to train
Moderate on-the-job training
Typical program length
U.S. jobs
31,200
Employment, 2025

What credit counselors do

Credit counselors help people facing money trouble. They review budgets and debts, explain options, set up debt management plans with creditors, provide required pre-bankruptcy counseling, teach financial classes and coach first-time homebuyers. Many work for nonprofit agencies.

Most have a bachelor’s degree and moderate on-the-job training; certification is common. BLS projects about average growth.

Typical duties

Review client budgets
Explain debt options
Set up debt management plans
Negotiate with creditors
Provide bankruptcy counseling
Teach financial classes
Coach homebuyers

Work environment and schedule

Counselors work in nonprofit agencies, banks and credit unions, often by phone or video.

Schedule: Full time, with some evening classes.

A day in the life

9:00 AMCounsel a client by phone.
10:00 AMBuild a budget together.
11:00 AMSet up a debt management plan.
1:00 PMCall a creditor about rates.

See a full day in the life of a credit counselor →

Credit Counselor salary

Half of credit counselors earned more than $52,230 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $38,350 for the lowest 10% to $80,440 for the top 10%.

$38,35010th$52,230Median$80,44090th

Full credit counselor pay scale and hourly rates →

How to become a credit counselor

Earn a bachelor’s
Join an agency
Earn NFCC certification
Counsel clients
Specialize

A bachelor’s degree is typical, plus certification and on-the-job training.

Step-by-step guide to becoming a credit counselor →

Skills and tools

Technical skills

Budgeting
Debt management
Consumer credit law
Creditor negotiation
Housing counseling

People skills

Empathy
Patience
Listening
Non-judgment

All credit counselor skills and tools →

Pros and cons

Pros

Help people in hard times
Nonprofit mission
Remote options
Steady demand

Cons

Modest pay
Emotional conversations
Repetitive cases
Some clients don’t follow through

Certifications and licenses

NFCC certification: Credit counselor credential.
HUD housing counselor certification: For housing counseling.
AFC: Accredited Financial Counselor.
FinCert credentials: Financial counseling.

Career path

Counselor Trainee: Learn.
Credit Counselor: Counsel.
Senior Counselor: Complex cases.
Counseling Manager: Lead agency.

Learn the job before day one

Our Credit Counselor training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as build a budget with a client in debt and explain a debt management plan, safety and how to land your first job.

View Credit Counselor training Is this career right for me?

Financial Advisor

Help people plan for retirement, college and other financial goals.

$105,070
Long-term on-the-job training

Loan Officer

Help people and businesses get mortgages and loans, from application to closing.

$76,690
3–6 months for mortgage licensing

Social Worker

Help children and families stay safe, get support and overcome hard times.

$59,550
4 years (BSW); 6 years for MSW

Debt Collector

Contact people and businesses about overdue bills and arrange payment.

$47,030
Several weeks to months on the job

Compare: Credit Counselor vs. Financial Advisor · Credit Counselor vs. Loan Officer · Credit Counselor vs. Social Worker · Credit Counselor vs. Debt Collector

Credit Counselor FAQ

Is credit counseling free?

Many nonprofit agencies offer free or low-cost sessions.

Is bankruptcy counseling required?

Yes, before filing, from an approved agency.

What certification is common?

NFCC certification.

How much does a credit counselor make?

The median annual wage for credit counselors was $52,230 ($25.11 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $38,350 and the highest 10% earned more than $80,440.

How long does it take to become a credit counselor?

Most people need about Moderate on-the-job training of training. A bachelor’s degree is typical, plus certification and on-the-job training.

Do you need a degree to be a credit counselor?

Usually, yes. BLS lists a bachelor's degree as the typical entry-level education, although skills, certifications and experience can sometimes substitute.

Sources

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 13-2071 (Credit counselors).
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
O*NET OnLine summary for Credit counselors (U.S. Department of Labor).
BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.

Credit Counselor