Career comparison
Marriage and Family Therapist vs. School Counselor
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Marriage and family therapists earn more at the median ($66,940 vs. $64,330), while school counselors usually get to work faster (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s of training). Marriage and family therapists help couples and families improve relationships and work through problems. School counselors help students succeed academically, socially and in planning their futures.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Marriage and Family Therapist | School Counselor | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $66,940 ($32.18/hr) | $64,330 ($30.93/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $44,650 – $123,730 | $45,020 – $104,770 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +13.5% (much faster than average) | +2.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 6,900 | 27,800 |
| Typical entry education | Master's degree | Master's degree |
| Training time | 6+ years plus supervised hours | Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s |
| Key credential | Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) | State school counselor certification |
| Work setting | MFTs work in private practices, clinics, hospitals, schools and via telehealth.. | Counselors work in schools, colleges and career centers, in offices and classrooms.. |
What each job does
Marriage and Family Therapist
- Assess clients and relationships
- Develop treatment plans
- Provide couples, family and individual therapy
- Teach communication skills
- Address mental health and behavior issues
School Counselor
- Meet with students individually and in groups
- Help with academic and graduation planning
- Guide college and career planning
- Support social and emotional needs
- Respond to crises
How they’re similar
Both careers involve helping others, working with people, and indoor work. They sit in different fields, community, social & government services and education & childcare, but share transferable skills such as empathy and empathy.
Which should you choose?
Choose marriage and family therapist if…
- I want to help families and couples
- I can stay neutral in conflict
- I’m a good listener
Choose school counselor if…
- I want to help students succeed
- I’m a good listener
- I can handle emotional situations
Still torn? Take the Marriage and Family Therapist fit quiz and the School Counselor fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, marriage and family therapist or school counselor?
Marriage and Family Therapists earn more at the median: $66,940 versus $64,330 for school counselors, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
School Counselors typically train faster (Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s) than marriage and family therapists (6+ years plus supervised hours).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects marriage and family therapists to grow +13.5% from 2025–35, compared with +2.9% for school counselors.