As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Youth Therapist in the United States is $62,797 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Youth Therapist's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Youth Therapist'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Youth Therapist'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Youth Therapist | $60,168 |
| Intermediate Level Youth Therapist | $60,354 |
| Senior Level Youth Therapist | $62,797 |
| Specialist Level Youth Therapist | $66,022 |
| Expert Level Youth Therapist | $66,252 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Youth Therapists. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 7.82% |
| Discharge Planning | 3.73% |
| Patient Care | 2.13% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Care Management
|
$67,193 |
7%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$66,565 |
6%
|
|
Community Health
|
$65,309 |
4%
|
|
Leadership
|
$65,309 |
4%
|
|
Organizing
|
$65,309 |
4%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$64,681 |
3%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Youth Therapists enter the field with a Bachelor's Degree 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 Youth Therapist with a Bachelor's Degree is between $63,714 and $67,641).
Youth Therapist Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.2% |
| High School | 2.3% |
| Associates | 3.7% |
| Bachelors | 82.5% |
| Masters | 10.9% |
| Doctorate | 0.5% |
Understanding how a Youth Therapist'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Youth Therapist can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,421 in 2023 to around $69,864 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Youth Therapist salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $73,421 |
| 2024 | $71,279 |
| 2025 | $69,864 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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