Salary of a Grief Counselor
The salary of a grief counselor is directly tied to her education and experience levels, as well as factors such as geography and the type of employer for whom she works. Grief counselors, also known as bereavement counselors, work with people who have suffered personal losses, such as the death of a loved one. Grief counselors usually must be licensed, although professionals like clergy members or funeral directors may offer unofficial bereavement counseling, typically directing people to professionals if the need arises.
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Education and Training
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A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a human services field typically is required to act as a grief counselor, usually in a field such as social work, counseling, psychology or mental health. Degrees are available that concentrate specifically on the bereavement process, although previously licensed counselors in other fields may pursue grief-counseling certificates or post-graduate grief-counseling degrees. Many professionals, such as hospice workers, priests, social workers and others who work with grieving people, choose to obtain grief counseling certification. Some employers may require a master’s degree, often a master’s degree in thanatology.
National Salaries
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CB Salary reports a U.S. national average salary of $50,751, based on 2011 data, for grief counselors. Indeed.com lists an average salary of $66,000 for a hospice grief counselor as of September 2011. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median 2010 salary of $38,150 for mental health counselors, who often are certified or trained in grief counseling. The 10th percentile salary is $24,180 and the 90th percentile figure is $63,630. The 25th to 75th percentile pay range is $30,010 to $49,800 a year. The median hourly wage is $18.34. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports salaries for marriage and family counselors, who also provide grief counseling. The median salary for marriage and family counselors is $45,720, with a 10th percentile salary of $23,870 and a 90th percentile figure of $72,280. The middle 50th percentile salary range is $34,420 to $58,150.
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Salary by Location
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Salary Expert reports an average salary of $56,401 for Indianapolis, the highest-paying city in its September 2011 grief counselor salary survey. Miami grief counselors received an average of $54,652 a year, Houston paid $51,575 a year and Charlotte, North Carolina, had an average salary of $50,404. Orlando was the lowest-paying city in the survey at $45,083. New York City pays an average salary of $47,999, according to Indeed.com. The average salary for grief counselors in Los Angeles is $57,540.
Salary by Employer Type
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that mental health counselors enjoy the highest wages working for local governments, with a median salary of $45,510. The offices of health practitioners provide a median salary of $40,880, and outpatient care centers pay $37,590 a year. For marriage and family counselors, state governments pay a median wage of $50,770 a year. Local governments offer an annual wage of $48,220 and outpatient care centers pay a salary of $46,830.
Job Outlook
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a job-growth rate of 18 percent through 2018 for counselors overall. The rate for mental health counselors is expected to be 24 percent, and marriage and family counselors will see a 14 percent job growth rate.
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References
- Education Portal: Bereavement Counseling Training and Education Program Options
- CB Salary: Grief Counselor Salary
- Indeed.com: Hospice Grief Counselor Salary in United States
- U.S. BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, Mental Health Counselors
- U.S. BLS: Occupational Employment and Wages, Marriage and Family Therapists
- Salary Expert: Grief Counselor salaries
Resources
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