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Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary in the United States

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

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) in the United States is $64,446 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $79,800
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $59,319 to $72,483
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $54,651
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salaries

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)'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 (LCPC) Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)'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:

  • Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) (0-0 years): $64,446
  • Psychologist - M.A. (7+ years): $95,203
  • Psychologist - Ph.D. (7-10 years): $130,304
  • Psychological Services Director (10+ years): $126,405
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)0-0 years$64,446
Psychologist - M.A.7+ years$95,203
Psychologist - Ph.D.7-10 years$130,304
Psychological Services Director10+ years$126,405
View as Graph

How Do Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)s. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $71,355.
  • California: $71,084.
  • Massachusetts: $70,137.

Top Paying Cities for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)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: $81,286
  • San Francisco: $80,396
  • Oakland: $78,701

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

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 6.26% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Support Services (Mentioned in 3.48% Job Postings): Support Services means those activities provided to or on behalf of a person in the areas of personal care and assistance and property maintenance in order to allow a person to live in the least restrictive environment.
  • CPR (Mentioned in 2.37% Job Postings): Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) combines rescue breathing (mouth-to-mouth) and chest compressions to temporarily pump enough blood to the brain until specialized treatment is available.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 6.26%
Support Services 3.48%
CPR 2.37%
See More Skills

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 (LCPC)'s salary.

  • Flexibility: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Scheduling: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Flexibility $68,313
6%
Leadership $67,668
5%
Scheduling $67,668
5%
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Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $68,754. While startup companies pay approximate $58,456.

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $58,456
Growth Stage 51~500 $61,752
Established 501~5000 $66,464
Enterprise 5000+ $68,754

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Business Services, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Business Services$77,335$37.020%

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)'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 September 01, 2026
$59,319
Average $64,446/year
$72,483
$4,943
Average $5,371/month
$6,040
$1,141
Average $1,239/week
$1,394
$29
Average $31/hour
$35
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $72,483 $6,040 $1,394 $35
Average $64,446 $5,371 $1,239 $31
25th Percentile $59,319 $4,943 $1,141 $29

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) Salary Growth & Career Path

Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)

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Advancement

For a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC), the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the Psychologist - M.A. role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $95,203 - a projected growth of 48% over your current level.

Most common benefits for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)

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

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FAQ about Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)

1. Where can a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) earn the most?

A Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)'s earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) is $81,286.

2. What is the highest pay for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)?

The highest pay for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) is $79,800.

3. What is the lowest pay for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)?

The lowest pay for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) is $54,651.

4. What are the responsibilities of Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)?

Provides individual, family, and group counseling services to patients to address various mental health and wellness-related issues. Conducts assessments and helps patients to problem-solve areas of need. Helps to develop coping strategies and action-based goals and objectives for patients. May specialize in a particular area of counseling. Requires a master's degree in psychology, counseling, social work, or related field. Requires Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC). Typically reports to a supervisor or manager. Years of experience may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.

5. What industry pays the highest salary for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC)?

The Business Services industry offers the highest average compensation for Licensed Professional Counselor (LCPC) roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

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.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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