Are marriage and family therapists in demand?

Marriage and family therapists are in demand in the U.S. The BLS projects 7,500 job openings in this profession each year over the next decade. That would be a 16% change in employment, much higher than the national average for all occupations (4%).

Where do most marriage and family therapists work?

Most marriage and family therapists work within the offices of other health practitioners (28%) or at private practices offering individual and family services (27%), according to the BLS. Some marriage and family therapists can work remotely. To do this, they offer to meet with clients over the phone or through video conferences.

How many hours does a marriage and family therapist work a day?

Marriage and family therapists typically work 40 hours per week like most Americans, but the job does offer the potential for flexibility. Because many therapists get to schedule their appointments with clients ahead of time, they can often set their own hours of operation. Those who work remotely have greater flexibility.

How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist

Updated on March 29, 2025

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Curious about becoming a marriage and family therapist? Our guide will walk you through education requirements, job duties, and potential salaries.

Some mental and emotional challenges are best addressed between couples or within family structures. Marriage and family therapists provide treatment and therapy to help address these issues. The job often involves extensive work with children and couples, both individually and as a unit.

If working with these kinds of clients appeals to you, you will need to earn a master’s degree to become a marriage and family therapist.

There has been a 50-fold increase in the number of marriage and family therapists over the past five decades, and the profession is projected to continue to grow.

How to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist in 4 Steps

To practice as a marriage and family therapist in the U.S., you’ll need to meet strict benchmarks, including a graduate degree and supervised clinical experience.

1
Earn a Bachelor’s Degree:
The first step to becoming a marriage and family therapist is to earn a bachelor’s degree, which typically takes four years.
You have some flexibility in what bachelor’s program you pursue. A degree in relevant fields, including a bachelor’s in psychology, sociology, or social work, will give you the best foundation for your career. Plus, these subjects could better prepare you for graduate school. You’ll usually need a minimum GPA of 3.0 in order to continue to graduate school.
2
Get a Master’s Degree:
All states in the U.S. require you to have a master’s degree to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.
Earning a master’s degree typically takes 2-3 years. Most programs require around 36 credits of coursework. You will need to pursue a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy or a closely related area.
3
Gain Clinical Experience:
After earning your master’s degree, you’ll need to complete a set amount of hours of supervised clinical experience, usually across two years.
The number of hours of clinical experience varies depending on the state you plan to get licensed in. In Florida, for example, you need at least 100 hours of supervised experience across 100 weeks and at least 1,500 hours of face-to-face psychotherapy with clients.
You can often work with your graduate school to help you find a clinical practicum.
4
Apply for Licensure:
In most states, you’ll need to pass the National Exam of Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), which is administered by the Association of Marital and Family Therapy Regulatory Board (AMFTRB).
It costs $370 to sit for the exam. While you can re-take the exam if you fail initially, you may need to check with the state board office if you re-take it more than 3-4 times in a year.
You may need to take a state-specific exam, too, depending on what state you plan to practice in.

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How Long Does It Take to Become a Marriage and Family Therapist?

It typically takes 7-8 years to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.

All licensed therapists need a minimum of both a bachelor’s and master’s degree. The standard time to earn a bachelor’s degree is four years and the standard time for a master’s degree is two years — although many students can take up to three years earning their master’s degree.

Then, you will need to complete at least two years of supervised clinical experience.

How Much Does a Marriage and Family Therapist Make?

The typical marriage and family therapist makes $58,510 annually, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

Salaries tend to be highest for therapists working for state governments ($86,030) and lowest for those working in offices of other health practitioners ($49,190).

Top Paying States for Marriage and Family Therapists
State	Average Annual Wage (2023)
New Jersey	$92,120
Maryland	$87,090
Utah	$83,980
Virginia	$76,480
Alaska	$74,420

Source: BLS

What Does a Marriage and Family Therapist Do?

A marriage and family therapist’s primary responsibility is to conduct therapy sessions. These sessions could be with individuals, couples, or a family group.

The aim is to help clients work through whatever mental, emotional, or relationship-related issues they present. Sometimes, patients will rely on you to diagnose mental health conditions or identify an issue.

Treating problems involves listening to patients, facilitating communication between individuals, and developing coping mechanisms clients can use going forward.

To be a good marriage and family therapist, you’ll need strong listening skills and the ability to create effective action plans. Empathy will also help you in this career.

Is Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist Right for You?

Pros of Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist

High-Demand Field: The BLS projects a 16% growth in employment of marriage and family therapists over the next decade, much higher than the 4% average growth rate for all occupations.
Fulfilling Work: Marriage and family therapists have opportunities to help clients through life challenges, which can be a rewarding experience.
Flexible Job Opportunities: Therapists can work in a myriad of settings, including in-patient clinics, community centers, government agencies, or private practices.
Earning Potential: Per BLS, the top 10% of marriage and family therapists earned more than $104,000 in 2023.

Cons of Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist

Stress Management: Practicing as a marriage and family therapist can be stressful, especially when dealing with domestic abuse cases.
Education Requirements: All U.S. states require a minimum of a master’s degree to become a marriage and family therapist, which often requires six years of college total.
Exam Requirement: You must pass a national exam to become a licensed therapist. Pass rates tend to be between 70-80%. You may also have to take a separate exam specific to the state in which you want to practice.

Frequently Asked Questions About Becoming a Marriage and Family Therapist

A bachelor’s degree in psychology will best equip you to become a marriage and family therapist, although degrees in related fields, including sociology or behavioral science, could also work.

For your master’s degree, you’ll want to find a marriage and family therapy master’s program.