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Therapist: Salary, Job Outlook and Education by Specialty

The word therapist covers several official occupations, from mental health counselors to physical and occupational therapists. Across the 4 official occupations below, BLS counts about 988,450 workers. National median annual wages range from $59,350 to $102,760 (May 2025).

$0$50K$100KPhysical therapists$102,760Occupational therapists$100,330Marriage and family therapists$66,940Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors$59,350
Annual wage distribution for therapist occupations, United States, May 2025. Highest median: Physical therapists at $102,760. The bar spans the 25th to 75th percentile, the thin line spans the 10th to 90th percentile, and the red mark is the median.
Therapist occupations compared
OccupationMedian wageEmploymentChange 2025 to 2035Typical entry education
Physical therapists
SOC 29-1123
$102,760267,330+11.9%Doctoral or professional degree
Occupational therapists
SOC 29-1122
$100,330162,450+14.8%Master's degree
Marriage and family therapists
SOC 21-1013
$66,94066,740+13.5%Master's degree
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
SOC 21-1018
$59,350491,930+18.4%Master's degree

Compare the top five side by side

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, National. May 2025 reference period. Published April 30, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, Table 1.2: Occupational projections, 2025-35, and worker characteristics, 2025. Base year 2025, projected year 2035. Published August 27, 2026. Retrieved October 18, 2026. Methodology.