Credit Counselors
Credit counselors advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. They also may provide guidance on credit issues and on budgeting, mortgages, or student financial aid packages.
Is credit counselors a good career?
It scores 14/100 and ranks #542 of 825 occupations on pay, growth, employment and openings. Here's what the federal data says, with no editorializing.
Advantages
- Tracked in official BLS wage and projection data, so the numbers here are verifiable
Possible tradeoffs
- Pays below the U.S. median wage ($52,230 vs $61,390)
- Typically requires a bachelor's degree
What credit counselors earn
Wages: BLS OEWS May 2025Pay is a range, not a number. Half of U.S. credit counselors earn between $45,720 and $64,080 a year.
Best-paying states
Best-paying metros
Live credit counselors jobs
No live credit counselors openings yet
When the jobs.best ATS feed launches, verified credit counselors openings will appear here — each shown against the $52,230 national median. Nothing here is placeholder.
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- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Outlook
- Employment is projected to grow as fast as average through 2034.
Licenses, certifications & registrations
Employers may prefer or require certification for credit counselors.
Important qualities
Analytical skills. Credit counselors must be able to assess income, expenses, and other financial information specific to each client.
Attention to detail. Credit counselors often need to manage several client accounts at the same time and must be organized to ensure accuracy.
Communication skills. Credit counselors must explain complex financial concepts in a way that clients understand. They also may mediate negotiations between clients and debt collectors.
Decision-making skills. Credit counselors must determine the best approach for their clients to reduce debt and increase credit opportunities.
Interpersonal skills. Counselors must establish a rapport with clients and respond thoughtfully to their questions and concerns.
Problem-solving skills. Credit counselors must be able to help clients create a customized debt management plan.
Related occupations
How much do credit counselors make?
The national median wage is $52,230 a year, with the middle half earning between $45,720 and $64,080 (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Is credit counselors a good career?
On the Jobs.best index it scores 14 of 100 and ranks #542 of 825 occupations, weighing pay, growth, employment and openings. Employment is projected to change +3.3% through 2034.
What education do you need to become a credit counselor?
The typical entry-level education is bachelor's degree.
Where do credit counselors earn the most?
Among states, California pays the highest median ($67,120). Local pay for every state and metro is below.