Marriage Counselor Salary

The job of a marriage counselor is decidedly tough. Reconciling a troubled couple, on the verge of a divorce, isn't the easiest job in the world. So what is the remuneration he will get for this work?

Marriage Counselor Salary

A marriage counselor generally runs a solo operation in a dedicated clinic. They are generally not employed, but are practicing professionals. This means that they don't get a salary, but earn counseling fees for every appointment. So the pay depends mainly on the charges levied by the counselor for his services and also the number of clients coming in every day.

Estimates suggest that the median marriage counselor salary is supposed to be around USD 38,980. the more experienced counselors earn more of course, as their reputation commands higher counseling charges. They will also see a lot of clients coming in for help in resurrecting their marriage. The more experienced counselors (1 - 9 years) can get up to USD 40,000. The salary for those working in this field for above 20 years stand to earn anywhere between USD 45,251 - USD 78,611 annually.

Job Description

Trying to reconcile a couple whose differences have gone so far that not only has all the love gone, but is replaced by an absolute repulsion of each other, because of the marital problems can be very tough.

To start with, he or she first sits the couple down and brings out the problems in the relationship. He first listens to the problems of one partner and then the other partner in the relationship. Then, after the problems in the marriage are sufficiently deliberated on, he tries to sort them out one by one. But if there are problems, how can they be corrected?

Because the very essence of the marriage counselor's job is to delve into the psychology, the thinking, of the two people in front of him and try to help them assess and eliminate their problems. The job requires him to sit the couple down, and on understanding the problems they have between themselves, sort them out amicably. Of course, this will require the counselor to have really good convincing skills. Because, if one partner in the relationship has a problem with the other, the only option there is left is to bring in a change in one of the two partners. This requires one partner to give up on something and make a sacrifice for to help their relationship improve.

Another very important task is to make the married couple understand the foundations on which their original relationship existed. After all, there was something, some common interest that sparked the interest off in each other and developed into love. It is the job of the marriage counselor to discuss this little detail and help them realize that beneath the small paper-like layer of hatred, the couple may still be a lot of love for each other!

The job is tough and the salary is good as well. Certainly it is one of the great career opportunities for those of us who like problems and have a penchant for understanding human psychology and have a problem solving attitude.