There are currently an estimated 41,500 marriage therapists in the United States. The marriage therapist job market is expected to grow by 23.4% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are marriage therapists?

CareerExplorer rates marriage therapists with a C employability rating, meaning this career should provide moderate employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 16,200 marriage therapists. That number is based on 9,700 additional marriage therapists, and the retirement of 6,500 existing marriage therapists.

Are marriage therapists in demand?

Marriage therapy is currently one of the most in-demand health professions. Since society has overcome the stigma that was once linked with therapy, more people are seeking professional help from counselors than in the past. As federal regulations in the United States now require insurance plans to cover the costs of treatment for mental and emotional health concerns, there will be a need for more marriage therapists. Job prospects are expected to be considerable, especially in rural communities that have traditionally been underserved by mental health practitioners. Practitioners with a Master’s Degree and at least two years of supervised field experience in a counseling setting may seek the National Certified Counselor designation offered by the National Board of Certified Counselors, Inc. Marriage therapists, particularly those who have earned a Doctorate Degree, may become supervisors, researchers, administrators, advanced clinicians, or college instructors in the discipline.

What’s the supply of marriage therapists?

The marriage therapist industry is concentrated in California, New Jersey, Florida

Marriage Therapist job market by state

State Name Employed Marriage Therapists
California 16,420
New Jersey 4,220
Florida 3,290
Arizona 1,510
Maryland 1,370
Pennsylvania 1,340
Texas 970
New York 970
Minnesota 910
Wisconsin 890
Virginia 850
Colorado 770
Indiana 740
Ohio 600
Tennessee 530
Iowa 510
Massachusetts 430
Oklahoma 410
West Virginia 400
Nevada 400
North Carolina 380
Oregon 380
Illinois 370
Michigan 350
Connecticut 330
Utah 310
Missouri 300
Washington 250
Kansas 240
Georgia 240
Delaware 230
Alabama 210
Kentucky 180
Nebraska 170
Mississippi 160
South Dakota 140
North Dakota 110
New Mexico 70
South Carolina 60
New Hampshire 60
Wyoming 40
Montana 30