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Credit Counselors

Job Zone 4 - Considerable preparation needed

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.

Pay & job outlook

Median pay: $52,230/yr (U.S. national, May 2025)

$38,350$80,440

Typical range nationwide (10th–90th percentile). This is a population snapshot, not a personal prediction - actual pay varies by location, employer, and experience.

Job outlook: +3.3% projected growth, 20242034 — about as fast as average.

About 2,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS and Employment Projections.

Top skills
SpeakingActive ListeningReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingWritingService OrientationActive LearningComplex Problem SolvingJudgment and Decision MakingPersuasion
Top knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceEnglish LanguageMathematicsAdministrativeEducation and TrainingEconomics and AccountingPsychologyComputers and Electronics
Core tasks

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What's the median pay for Credit Counselors?

The median pay for Credit Counselors is $52,230 per year, per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

What's the job outlook for Credit Counselors?

Employment for Credit Counselors is projected to change +3.3% from 2024 to 2034 - about as fast as average.

What education is typically required for Credit Counselors?

Typical entry-level education: Bachelor's degree.

How many job openings are there each year for Credit Counselors?

About 2,200 openings per year, on average, over the decade.