Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Bachelor's degree
None
Moderate-term on-the-job training
These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Credit counselors help individuals navigate financial challenges by drawing on a mix of analytical and interpersonal strengths. Nationally, there are about 32,000 credit counselor positions, with a typical requirement of a bachelor’s degree. The role benefits from a broad skill set that includes mathematics, critical and analytical thinking, problem solving and decision making, and strong speaking and listening abilities. Writing and reading skills, along with adaptability and customer service, are also central to success in this field. The occupation’s projected employment growth of 3.3% and an estimated 2,000 annual openings indicate a steady flow of opportunities. For those who enjoy combining people-focused work with quantitative thinking and computers and information technology, credit counseling offers a structured career path with clear educational expectations and a range of geographic options at both the state and metro levels.
Credit counselors earn a national median annual salary of $50,480, with notable variation across locations. Several states stand out for higher median pay, including California at $67,120, Massachusetts at $63,240, New York at $63,030, Washington at $62,360, and Colorado at $57,130. At the metro level, some areas show even higher salary potential. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA reports a median salary of $82,570, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA shows $80,680, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has a median of $63,170. These figures suggest that choosing where to live and work can significantly influence earnings. For job seekers who are mobile, focusing on higher-paying metros and states with strong CareerGPS opportunity scores may enhance long-term earning potential within the credit counseling field.
Credit counselors have a national employment base of 32,000, with projected employment growth of 3.3%. This growth rate aligns with the same 3.3% projection reported in the top states and metro areas, suggesting consistent expectations across multiple regions. The occupation is projected to generate about 2,000 annual openings, indicating ongoing opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals. States such as California, Massachusetts, New York, Colorado, and Washington, as well as metros like San Jose, New York-Newark-Jersey City, San Francisco, Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, all share this 3.3% projected growth. For students and career changers planning ahead, these figures point to a field with measurable demand across diverse locations, supported by a blend of quantitative and interpersonal skills. Those considering related paths may also look at similar occupations such as loan officers or eligibility interviewers, government programs.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for credit counselors, with certain states and metro areas standing out by salary, employment, and CareerGPS opportunity scores. Among states, California leads with a median salary of $67,120, employment of 2,160, and an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York follow closely, with median salaries of $63,240 and $63,030 and opportunity scores of 65.87 and 65.78, respectively. Washington and Colorado also provide notable options, with median salaries of $62,360 and $57,130 and opportunity scores in the mid-50s. At the metro level, San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA offers a high opportunity score of 77.42 and a median salary of $80,680, while New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ has a similar opportunity score of 77.27 and employment of 1,610. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA combines a median salary of $82,570 with a strong opportunity score of 68.75, highlighting the variation available to mobile job seekers.
The typical education requirement for credit counselors is a bachelor’s degree, providing a foundation for the role’s mix of analytical and people-focused responsibilities. Success in this career relies on several core skill areas. Mathematics and critical and analytical thinking support the more quantitative aspects of the work, while problem solving and decision making help address complex situations. Strong speaking and listening skills, along with interpersonal abilities and customer service, are essential for working effectively with clients. Writing and reading skills support clear communication and documentation, and computers and information technology are important tools for performing daily tasks. Adaptability and creativity and innovation round out the profile, helping professionals respond constructively to new information and situations. Together, these skills and the bachelor’s-level educational background create a robust preparation pathway for entering and advancing in credit counseling.
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