Bereavement Counselor Salary in the United States

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

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Bereavement Counselor in the United States is $61,307 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $29.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $76,273
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $55,459 to $69,141
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $50,134
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View as table View as graph 25% $55,459 10% $50,134 90% $76,273 75% $69,141 $61,307 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Bereavement Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $69,141 $5,762 $1,330 $33
Average $61,307 $5,109 $1,179 $29
25th Percentile $55,459 $4,622 $1,067 $27
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Key Factors That Influence Bereavement Counselor Salaries

A Bereavement 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 Bereavement Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Bereavement 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): $58,830
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $59,003
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $61,307
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $64,533
  • Expert (over 8 years): $64,763
Levels Salary
Entry Level Bereavement Counselor$58,830
Intermediate Level Bereavement Counselor$59,003
Senior Level Bereavement Counselor$61,307
Specialist Level Bereavement Counselor$64,533
Expert Level Bereavement Counselor$64,763
$58,830 0 yr
$59,003 < 2 yrs
$61,307 2-4 yrs
$64,533 5-8 yrs
$64,763 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Bereavement 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: $77,327
  • San Francisco: $76,480
  • Oakland: $74,868

What Skills Can Increase a Bereavement 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.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 5.12%
Patient Care 4.03%
Group Therapy 2.4%
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 Bereavement 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
$73,569
20%
Service Planning
$67,438
10%
Self-Directed
$66,212
8%
Organizational Skills
$65,599
7%
Planning
$65,599
7%
Communication Skills
$64,986
6%
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Bereavement Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Bereavement 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, Bereavement Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Bereavement Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Bereavement Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Healthcare$67,438$32.010%

How Education impacts a Bereavement Counselor's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Bereavement 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 Bereavement Counselor with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $64,945 and $69,414).

Bereavement Counselor Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Bereavement 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%
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Bereavement Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Bereavement 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 July 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Bereavement Counselor

Salaries for a Bereavement Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $50,905 in 2023 to around $50,694 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Bereavement Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Bereavement Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$50,905
2024
$50,935
2025
$50,694
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
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2023 $50,905
2024 $50,935
2025 $50,694
2026
View More
2027
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Most common benefits for Bereavement Counselor

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

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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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