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Financial coach: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 28, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$52,230median pay per year, or $25.11 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,350lowest 10% earn less
  2. $45,72025th percentile
  3. $52,230median
  4. $64,08075th percentile
  5. $80,440top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[3]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[2]

Financial coaches are counted by BLS as credit counselors. Their median pay was $52,230 a year, close to the $50,980 median for all occupations[1][2].

Job growth, 2025–35
+3.3%[4]
Openings per year
2,000[5]
Typical entry education
Bachelor's degree[6]

How much do financial coaches make?

The median wage for credit counselors was $52,230 a year, or $25.11 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Half of workers earned more and half earned less[1]. The average was $57,210 a year, or $27.51 an hour[7]. The median for all occupations was $50,980[2].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,350 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $80,440[3][8].

Level Annual Hourly
10th percentile[3][9] $38,350 $18.44
25th percentile[3][9] $45,720 $21.98
Median[1] $52,230 $25.11
75th percentile[3][9] $64,080 $30.81
90th percentile[3][9] $80,440 $38.67

These figures cover wage and salary workers only. They leave out self-employed workers, bonuses and benefits[10]. BLS does not publish a starting salary[8].

Pay by state and city

California had the highest state median, at $67,120 a year[11]. Georgia followed at $64,080, then the District of Columbia at $63,580[11]. Missouri had the lowest listed median, at $30,580[11].

Texas had the most jobs, with 3,950[12]. Florida had 2,410, California 2,160 and New York 2,020[12].

Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont had the highest median, at $82,570[13]. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara was next at $80,680[13]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most jobs, at 1,610[14].

Show median pay in 45 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
California[11]$67,1202,160
Georgia$64,080460
District of Columbia$63,580110
Massachusetts$63,240770
New York$63,0302,020
Nebraska$62,510260
Washington$62,360560
Minnesota$62,160580
Maryland$60,450350
Oregon$59,150280
New Hampshire$58,830170
Rhode Island$58,480130
Pennsylvania$58,3301,110
New Jersey$57,180530
Colorado$57,130360
Maine$55,490170
Nevada$55,480170
Connecticut$54,710100
South Carolina$53,190250
Delaware$52,84040
North Dakota$52,22030
Michigan$52,1601,260
Wisconsin$52,140770
Illinois$51,9301,170
Virginia$51,550760
Arizona$51,480980
Utah$51,330190
Ohio$51,160890
Idaho$51,13090
New Mexico$50,390200
South Dakota$48,890n/a
Texas$48,2203,950
Indiana$48,180740
Kentucky$48,150220
Iowa$48,130440
Alabama$48,120n/a
Louisiana$47,250130
Oklahoma$46,950230
Florida$46,3002,410
North Carolina$46,180320
Mississippi$45,990210
West Virginia$45,860150
Arkansas$45,06050
Wyoming$42,58040
Tennessee$38,730950
Missouri$30,580n/a

How to become a financial coach

BLS describes the typical path into this occupation like this:

Employers may prefer or require certification[17]. The facts here do not name specific certifications. High school classes in English, mathematics and personal finance can help you prepare[18]. BLS lists no related work experience as typically needed[6].

The O*NET job titles include Certified Financial Coach and Financial Coach[19].

What financial coaches do

O*NET describes the work as advising and educating people or organizations on acquiring and managing debt[20]. Typical tasks include:

BLS says credit counselors need analytical skills, communication skills and attention to detail[22][23][24].

Where they work

Credit counselors typically work in an office[25]. The work can be stressful at times, such as when handling many accounts or deadlines[25]. Most work full time during standard business hours, though some evening or weekend work may be needed to meet clients[26].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment of credit counselors to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 32,300 jobs[4]. Employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5%[27]. These counts include self-employed workers[4]. In 2025, 0.9% of credit counselors were self-employed[28].

About 2,000 openings a year are projected[5]. Openings include jobs created when people retire or switch occupations, as well as new jobs[5]. Each year, 2.3% of workers leave the labor force and 3.5% move to a different occupation[29].

Is it a good fit?

The facts show pay close to the all-occupation median[1][2] and a typical path that starts with a bachelor's degree[6]. Projected growth is about the same as the all-occupation rate[4][27]. The job is typically done in an office and calls for communication and analytical skills[25][22][24]. Pay varies by state and across the pay range[3][11].

Related occupations from O*NET, with BLS median pay and projected growth[30].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a financial coach make an hour?
The median was $25.11 an hour and the average was $27.51 in May 2025[1][7].
What degree do you need to be a financial coach?
BLS says credit counselors typically need a bachelor's degree, usually in business, finance or psychology, though some jobs accept a high school diploma[6][15].
Is financial coaching in demand?
BLS projects 3.3% growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, and about 2,000 openings a year[4][27][5].
What is the highest paying state for financial coaches?
California had the highest median, $67,120 a year, then Georgia at $64,080[11].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Credit Counselors in the US was $52,230 per year and $25.11 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  3. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Credit Counselors: 10th percentile $38,350, 25th percentile $45,720, 75th percentile $64,080, 90th percentile $80,440. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  4. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Credit Counselors is projected to grow 3.3% from 2025 to 2035, from about 31,200 to 32,300 jobs (a change of +1,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  5. BLS Employment Projections: about 2,000 openings for Credit Counselors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  6. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Credit Counselors: education needed for entry: Bachelor's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Moderate-term on-the-job training. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Credit Counselors was $57,210 per year and $27.51 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  8. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Credit Counselors: 10th percentile $18.44, 25th percentile $21.98, 75th percentile $30.81, 90th percentile $38.67. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. Median annual wage for Credit Counselors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Credit Counselors jobs: Texas 3,950; Florida 2,410; California 2,160; New York 2,020; Michigan 1,260. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  13. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Credit Counselors (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $82,570; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $80,680; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $76,930; San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA $67,120; Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA $65,210; Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $64,750; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $64,380; Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $64,080. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Credit Counselors jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 1,610 (median $63,170); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,080 (median $51,820); Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX 900 (median $48,100); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 830 (median $65,210); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 800 (median $57,210); Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ 720 (median $54,110). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  16. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certification, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education and Training. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. O*NET 13-2071.00 sample job titles reported by workers: Accredited Financial Counselor, Budget Credit Counselor, Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor, Certified Credit Consultant, Certified Credit Counselor, Certified Financial Coach, Certified Personal Finance Counselor, Financial Coach. O*NET OnLine
  20. O*NET description of Credit Counselors. O*NET OnLine
  21. O*NET task list for Credit Counselors. O*NET OnLine
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  28. BLS Employment Projections: 0.9% of Credit Counselors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  29. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Credit Counselors: 2.3% of workers leave the labor force each year and 3.5% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
  30. Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.