Salary AI Book a Demo

Grief Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Grief Counselor make in the United States?

As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Grief Counselor in the United States is $61,563 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.

However, a Grief Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,503
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,683 to $69,383
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,330
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Grief Counselor Salaries

A Grief Counselor'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Grief Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Grief Counselor'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): $59,652
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,828
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $62,167
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $65,435
  • Expert (over 8 years): $65,668
Levels Salary
Entry Level Grief Counselor$59,652
Intermediate Level Grief Counselor$59,828
Senior Level Grief Counselor$62,167
Specialist Level Grief Counselor$65,435
Expert Level Grief Counselor$65,668
View as Graph

How Do Grief Counselor 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 Grief Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $68,153.
  • California: $67,893.
  • Massachusetts: $66,993.

Top Paying Cities for Grief Counselors

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: $77,643
  • San Francisco: $76,793
  • Oakland: $75,173

What Skills Can Increase a Grief Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 5.12% 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.
  • Patient Care (Mentioned in 4.03% Job Postings): Patient care refers to the prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of physical and mental well-being through services offered by health professionals.
  • Group Therapy (Mentioned in 2.4% Job Postings): Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a form of psychotherapy in which one or more therapists treat a small group of clients together as a group. The term can legitimately refer to any form of psychotherapy when delivered in a group format, including cognitive behavioural therapy or interpersonal therapy, but it is usually applied to psychodynamic group therapy where the group context and group process is explicitly utilised as a mechanism of change by developing, exploring and examining interpersonal relationships within the group. The broader concept of group therapy can be taken to include any helping process that takes place in a group, including support groups, skills training groups (such as anger management, mindfulness, relaxation training or social skills training), and psychoeducation groups. The differences between psychodynamic groups, activity groups, support groups, problem-solving and psycoeducational groups have been discussed by psychiatrist Charles Montgomery. Other, more specialised forms of group therapy would include non-verbal expressive therapies such as art therapy, dance therapy, or music therapy.
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.12%
Patient Care 4.03%
Group Therapy 2.4%
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 Grief Counselor's salary.

  • Community Education: Can increase your salary by up to 20%.
  • Service Planning: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Self-Directed: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Community Education $73,876
20%
Service Planning $67,719
10%
Self-Directed $66,488
8%
Get Latest Data

Grief Counselor Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Grief Counselor salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $65,342. While startup companies pay approximate $55,645.

Grief Counselor Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup 1~50 $55,645
Growth Stage 51~500 $58,754
Established 501~5000 $63,191
Enterprise 5000+ $65,342

Grief Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Grief Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare, offers compensation 10% above the average. Conversely, Grief Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Grief Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Grief Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,719$33.010%

How Education impacts a Grief Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Grief Counselors enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Grief Counselor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $64,345 and $68,729).

Grief Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Grief Counselor
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 5.1%
High School 5.1%
Associates 5.1%
Bachelors 26.5%
Masters 63.3%
Doctorate 0.0%
View as Graph

Grief Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Grief Counselor'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
$55,683
Average $61,563/year
$69,383
$4,640
Average $5,130/month
$5,782
$1,071
Average $1,184/week
$1,334
$27
Average $30/hour
$33
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $69,383 $5,782 $1,334 $33
Average $61,563 $5,130 $1,184 $30
25th Percentile $55,683 $4,640 $1,071 $27

Most common benefits for Grief Counselor

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

Common company salaries for Grief Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Grief Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Grief Counselor Job

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

For Employees

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Get a Salary Increase

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

Search Job Openings

For Employers

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Adjust Employee Salary

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Price My Industry Jobs

FAQ about Grief Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Grief Counselor?

The Healthcare industry offers the highest average compensation for Grief Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 10% above the market median.

2. Who is a famous grief counselor?

Alan Wolfelt is a prominent grief counselor and death educator in North America. His influential work has led to the sale of over a million books globally, translated into numerous languages. Grief counselors like him typically earn between $61,473 and $77,993 annually, with a median salary around $69,303.

3. What degree is best for a grief counselor?

To become a grief counselor, a master's degree in counseling is essential, along with a strong sense of empathy. This educational background equips counselors with the necessary skills to support individuals in processing their grief. Grief counselors can expect to earn a salary ranging from $61,473 to $77,993, with a median salary of $69,303.

4. How does grief pay work?

Grief pay typically allows employees to take paid leave during difficult times. Many employers offer around three days of paid bereavement leave per loss, with policies varying for immediate versus extended relatives. In terms of compensation, grief counselors earn between $61,473 and $77,993 annually, with a median salary of $69,303.

5. How much do grief coaches get paid?

Grief Counselors in the United States earn between $61,473 and $77,993 annually, with a median salary of $69,303. This reflects a more comprehensive view of their compensation compared to the hourly rates previously mentioned, highlighting the value of their expertise in supporting individuals through difficult times.

6. What kind of therapist is best for grief?

The best therapist for grief is often a Grief Counselor, who specializes in helping individuals process their loss. They may use approaches like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to address negative thought patterns. Grief Counselors typically earn between $61,473 and $77,993 annually, with a median salary of $69,303.

7. How much does grief counselling cost?

The cost of grief counseling varies based on the counselor's experience. For newly qualified counselors, sessions typically range from £30 to £40. Intermediate counselors charge between £50 and £70, while expert counselors may charge £80 to £120. Considering the salary data, grief counselors earn between £61,473 and £77,993 annually, reflecting their expertise and session rates.

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.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst