Credit Counselors
SOC code 13-2071 · O*NET-SOC 13-2071.00 · Considerable preparation needed · Business and finance
Credit Counselors pay
U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number
Median pay
$52,230
a year
Hourly
$25.11
per hour
The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.
Average pay
$57,210
$27.51 per hour
Middle 50%
$45,720 – $64,080
25th to 75th percentile
Full spread
$38,350 – $80,440
10th to 90th percentile
People employed
27,770
nationwide
National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.
- 10th percentile
- $38,350
- $18.44/hr
- 25th percentile
- $45,720
- $21.98/hr
- Median percentile
- $52,230
- $25.11/hr
- 75th percentile
- $64,080
- $30.81/hr
- 90th percentile
- $80,440
- $38.67/hr
Job outlook · federal projection 2024–34
+3%
Growing about as fast as average
31,800
jobs in 2024
32,900
projected for 2034
About 1,100 more jobs
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics employment projections, 2024–34. Projections describe the broader occupation group and are estimates, not guarantees.
What does a credit counselor do?
Advise and educate individuals or organizations on acquiring and managing debt. May provide guidance in determining the best type of loan and explain loan requirements or restrictions. May help develop debt management plans or student financial aid packages. May advise on credit issues, or provide budget, mortgage, bankruptcy, or student financial aid counseling.
The tasks that matter most day to day
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Recommend strategies for clients to meet their financial goals, such as borrowing money through loans or loan programs, declaring bankruptcy, making budget adjustments, or enrolling in debt management plans.
- Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
- Explain general financial topics to clients, such as credit report ratings, bankruptcy laws, consumer protection laws, wage attachments, or collection actions.
- Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
- Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
How to become a credit counselor
Preparation level: zone 4 — Considerable preparation needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
The federal survey did not capture education levels for this specific occupation, so the preparation-level card above is the best guide to the entry route.
Common questions
How much does a credit counselor earn?
The national median is $52,230 a year. The full range runs from $38,350 at the 10th percentile to $80,440 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.
Can you become a credit counselor without a degree?
Not usually — this occupation sits in preparation zone 4, where the typical entry route is most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not. The education breakdown above shows what people in the role actually reported.
Is credit counselor in demand?
Federal projections expect employment to grow by about 3% between 2024 and 2034 — growing about as fast as average. Openings also come from people retiring or changing jobs, which the growth figure does not count.
Skills and knowledge you need
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension3.9/5
- Active Listening3.9/5
- Speaking3.9/5
- Critical Thinking3.9/5
- Writing3.8/5
- Active Learning3.8/5
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service4.5/5
- English Language3.9/5
- Administrative3.8/5
- Education and Training3.5/5
- Economics and Accounting3.5/5
- Mathematics3.3/5
- Administration and Management3.0/5
- Computers and Electronics3.0/5
Transferable strengths: Complex Problem Solving, Judgment and Decision Making, Service Orientation, Social Perceptiveness.