Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salary in the United States

How much does a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) make in the United States?

As of May 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the United States is $67,272 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.

However, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $83,295
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $61,922 to $75,659
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,051
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View as table View as graph 25% $61,922 10% $57,051 90% $83,295 75% $75,659 $67,272 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $75,659 $6,305 $1,455 $36
Average $67,272 $5,606 $1,294 $32
25th Percentile $61,922 $5,160 $1,191 $30
Check out Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Job Openings in the United States
Licensed Mental Health Professional

OptiMindHealth - Springfield, OH

Licensed Mental Health Professional

OptiMindHealth - Youngstown, OH

Licensed Mental Health Professional

OptiMindHealth - Akron, OH

Licensed Mental Health Professional

OptiMindHealth - Cincinnati, OH

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Key Factors That Influence Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salaries

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $65,505
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,905
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $66,463
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,512
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,016
Levels Salary
Entry Level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)$65,505
Intermediate Level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)$65,905
Senior Level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)$66,463
Specialist Level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)$67,512
Expert Level Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)$70,016
$65,505 0 yr
$65,905 < 2 yrs
$66,463 2-4 yrs
$67,512 5-8 yrs
$70,016 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $84,853
  • San Francisco: $83,924
  • Oakland: $82,155

What Skills Can Increase a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.24% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 3.7% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Psychotherapy (Mentioned in 2.9% Job Postings): Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.24%
Billing 3.7%
Psychotherapy 2.9%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s salary.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity
$69,290
3%
Patient Care
$69,290
3%
Leadership
$68,617
2%
Teamwork
$68,617
2%
Group Therapy
$68,617
2%
Client Service
$67,945
1%
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on May 01, 2026

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Salary Growth & Career Path

For a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Clinical Licensed Psychologist M.A. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $95,300 - a projected growth of 42% over your current level.

Salary Trends for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Salaries for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,734 in 2023 to around $84,503 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,734
2024
$85,399
2025
$84,503
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,734
2024 $85,399
2025 $84,503
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Here are companies hiring for Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

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FAQ about Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

1. What state pays LPC the most?

The salary for Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) varies by state, with the minimum salary starting at $65,726, a mid-range salary of $73,514, and a maximum salary reaching $81,627. States with higher demand and cost of living typically offer salaries at or near the maximum range, making them more lucrative for LPCs.

2. How much does a licensed mental health counselor earn in USA?

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the United States earns between $65,726 and $81,627 annually, with a median salary of approximately $73,514. This range reflects the varying levels of experience and location within the field of mental health counseling.

3. Are LPC in demand?

Yes, Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) are in demand, especially in California, which leads in employment opportunities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, employing 54,660 professionals in 2023. The salary range for LPCs is competitive, with a minimum of $65,726, a mid-range of $73,514, and a maximum of $81,627.

4. Does LPC or LCSW make more money?

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) have a salary range with a minimum of $65,726, a mid-point of $73,514, and a maximum of $81,627. In comparison, Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) typically earn a median salary of $55,350. Therefore, LPCs generally make more money than LCSWs.

5. Which type of therapist makes the most money?

Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) earn competitive salaries, with a minimum of $65,726, a mid-range salary of $73,514, and a maximum of $81,627. While various therapist roles exist, LPCs often have strong earning potential, especially with experience and specialization, making them among the higher earners in the mental health field.

6. Can a counsellor diagnose?

Counsellors specialize in listening and assisting individuals in reaching their personal goals. While they typically do not perform diagnoses or assessments, they can support clients experiencing mild to moderate symptoms of mental illness. Licensed Professional Counselors (LPCs) earn between $65,726 and $81,627, with a median salary of $73,514.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

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