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Careersβ€ΊRolesβ€ΊLicensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)
Mid-Level

Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

A clinical therapist with marriage and family therapy licensure β€” providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy with particular emphasis on relational and systemic frameworks. Master's-level credential plus supervised clinical hours plus state licensing examination.

Career Level
Junior
Mid
Senior
Director
VP
Executive
Work Personality
S
I
A
C
E
R
Socialhelping, teaching
Investigativeanalytical, curious
Based on Holland Code framework
Industries that often hire Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)s
Professional ServicesHealthcare Β· 88%Government Β· 8%Education Β· 2%Administrative Services Β· 1%Consumer Services Β· 0%
Job markets for Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)s
Where Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) jobs concentrate Β· ~115 metro areas
Based on employment in related occupations
Mapped SOC categories:
Social Services
BLS Occupational Employment Statistics
Jump to:What it's likeCareer pathsBy the numbers
What it's like

What it's like to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

Most days tend to involve scheduled individual, couples, and family therapy sessions, case documentation, treatment planning, and the case consultation work that supports licensed practice. You'll often work across presenting issues with a systems lens β€” understanding individual symptoms in family and relational context β€” and use models like structural, strategic, narrative, Bowen, EFT, or others depending on training.

The variance between settings is real β€” private practice LMFTs often focus on couples therapy, family therapy, or specific issues with out-of-pocket or insurance billing; community mental health agencies serve high-acuity caseloads with strong supervision and Medicaid billing; school-based contracts serve students and families with predictable schedules; faith-based counseling centers serve specific religious communities; some LMFTs work in employee assistance, hospitals, or specialized programs. Scope of practice varies β€” most states allow LMFTs to provide individual therapy alongside family work.

People who tend to thrive here are comfortable with systemic and relational frameworks, capable of managing high-conflict family sessions, and patient with the slow arc of relationship change. AAMFT clinical fellow status signals advanced credentialing. The work tends to offer deep family impact and intellectual richness of systems thinking, with the trade-off being the emotional intensity of family conflict work and the often-lower insurance reimbursement compared to MD or psychologist providers β€” for those drawn to systemic therapy, the work tends to root.

What people in this role value
RelationshipsHigh
IndependenceHigh
AchievementAbove avg
Working ConditionsAbove avg
RecognitionAbove avg
SupportLower
O*NET Work Values survey
✦ Editorial β€” written by Truest from industry research and career patterns
Career Paths

Where this role sits in the broader career landscape β€” and where it can take you.

Earning potential across this track
$239K$179K$119K$60K$0KLower paying387 metro areas, sorted by salary level
All experience levels1
This level's estimated range
INDUSTRIES PAYING ABOVE AVERAGE
Energy & Utilities$95K+57%
Professional Services$91K+50%
Technology & Information$83K+37%
Construction$74K+21%
Wholesale & Distribution$73K+20%
Compared to Social Services average across all industries
1 BLS OEWS May 2024 covers all Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)s (SOC 21-1013.00), not just this title Β· BEA RPP 2023
* Top salaries exceed this figure. BLS caps reported wages at ~$240K to protect individual privacy in high-earning roles.
Related rolesExplore Social Services β†’
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)Outpatient TherapistBehavior TherapistBehavioral TherapistChild and Adolescent TherapistFamily PsychologistBehavior SpecialistGroup CounselorBehavioral AnalystBehavioral SpecialistClinical TherapistLicensed TherapistFamily CounselorFamily TherapistCouples TherapistMarriage CounselorMarriage TherapistBilingual ClinicianTelehealth CounselorRelationship CounselorFamily Service CounselorFamily Services CounselorHuman Relations CounselorChild and Family CounselorChild and Family Therapist+1 more
Exploring the Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) career path? Truest helps you figure out if it's the right fit β€” and plan your path forward.
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✦ Editorial β€” career progression and interview guidance based on industry patterns
The Broader Landscape

Roles like this one sit within a broader occupational category. The numbers below reflect that full landscape β€” helpful for context, but your specific experience will depend on level, specialty, and where you work.

$43K–$112K
Salary Range
10th – 90th percentile
66K
U.S. Employment
+12.6%
10yr Growth
8K
Annual Openings

How Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) pay & employment are changing

$65K$63K$60K$57K$55K201920202021202220232024$55K$65K
BLS OEWS May 2024 Β· BLS Employment Projections 2024–2034

Skills & Requirements

Active ListeningSocial PerceptivenessSpeakingComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingReading ComprehensionService OrientationWritingCritical ThinkingActive Learning
O*NET OnLine Β· Bureau of Labor Statistics
Mapped SOC Codes
21-1013.00

Explore related roles

Roles with similar work and overlapping career paths

directorYouth and Family Director$55KmidOutpatient Therapist$73KmidBehavior Therapist$80KmidBehavioral Therapist$80KmidChild and Adolescent Therapist$80KmidFamily Psychologist$96K
View all Social Services roles β†’

Common questions about what it's like to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)

What does a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) do?

A clinical therapist with marriage and family therapy licensure β€” providing individual, couples, family, and group therapy with particular emphasis on relational and systemic frameworks. Master's-level credential plus supervised clinical hours plus state licensing examination.

How much does a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) make?

Median pay for a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) is about $64K nationally, with the field ranging roughly from $43K to $112K depending on experience, employer, and metro (BLS).

What skills does a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) need?

Core skills for this role include Active Listening, Social Perceptiveness, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving, and Judgment and Decision Making.

What education do you need to be a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?

Most people in this role hold a master's degree.

Is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) in demand?

Employment in this field is projected to grow about 12.6% through 2034, with roughly 65,870 people working in it today (BLS).

What jobs are similar to a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT)?

Closely related roles include Youth and Family Director, Outpatient Therapist, and Behavior Therapist.

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Federal data: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (May 2024) Β· BLS Employment Projections Β· O*NET OnLine
Truest editorial: Fit check, role profile, things that vary, advancement analysis, lateral moves, interview questions.