How much does a credit counselor make?

The median pay is $25.11 per hour — roughly $52,000 a year, with the real range running from about $18.44/hr (10th percentile) to $38.67/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Do you need a degree to be a credit counselor?

The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

What does a credit counselor actually do all day?

Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations. Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies. Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.

Business & Finance

Credit Counselors

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.

What it pays
Credit Counselors earn a median of $25.11/hr — about $52,000 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn $18.44/hr; the top 10% earn $38.67/hr. (Annual figures are approximate: hourly × 2,080.)

What you'd actually do

Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
Prioritize client debt repayment to avoid dire consequences, such as bankruptcy or foreclosure or to reduce overall costs, such as by paying high-interest or short-term loans first.
Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
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.

How you get there

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).

The feel of the work

The work splits time indoors and out. (Compared against the other 818 careers in the guide.)

Working for yourself

About 1.4% of credit counselors are self-employed.

Who it tends to fit

This work tends to fit people who are organized and detail-focused, people-focused and take-charge.

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Quick questions

How much does a credit counselor make?: The median pay is $25.11 per hour — roughly $52,000 a year, with the real range running from about $18.44/hr (10th percentile) to $38.67/hr (90th percentile). Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Do you need a degree to be a credit counselor?: The typical entry-level education is: Bachelor's degree. Overall preparation level: considerable preparation (Job Zone 4 of 5).
What does a credit counselor actually do all day?: Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations. Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies. Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.

Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS. Tasks & interests: O*NET. Career pathways shown in the app are draft archetypes — verify before relying on them. Trailhead is a free career guide for students — honest numbers, no hype.

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