We get it! You want to run your own therapy clinic and be the master of your destiny. You want to be in charge of everything, from clinic operations to handling client issues.
Although embarking on a private therapy practice can be wrought with challenges, the joy and sense of fulfillment should you see it succeed are priceless.
Of the many considerations for establishing a private clinic, the starting salary for therapists remains hotly contested. Some professionals earn more than others, even though they are newbies.
So, what gives? How much can you expect to earn as a privately practicing therapist? More importantly, which state should you set up shop in our great nation? Let’s find out.
Starting Salary for Therapists by State in 2024
We scoured the World Wide Web to deliver the most up-to-date salary information for beginning therapists. What’s more?
We included your potential earnings if you already have a well-established practice. And even if you don’t land the magic upper-10%, the middle-of-the-ground salary still looks very promising.
| State | Starting Salary (Yearly) | Salary for Experienced Therapists (Yearly) | Average Salary (Yearly) | |
| Alabama | $73,874 | $111,830 | $91,444 | |
| Alaska | $89,951 | $143,036 | $113,507 | |
| Arizona | $66,370 | $115,899 | $84,999 | |
| Arkansas | $75,362 | $120,392 | $97,426 | |
| California | $66,681 | $124,797 | $91,304 | |
| Colorado | $62,911 | $109,103 | $79,330 | |
| Connecticut | $70,000 | $116,161 | $87,482 | |
| Delaware | $72,032 | $117,372 | $90,297 | |
| Florida | $56,304 | $104,142 | $77,541 | |
| Georgia | $72,643 | $112,035 | $89,565 | |
| Hawaii | $82,391 | $117,674 | $96,914 | |
| Idaho | $74,989 | $119,948 | $91,344 | |
| Illinois | $60,370 | $119.756 | $83,253 | |
| Indiana | $60,041 | $116,214 | $84,314 | |
| Iowa | $69,378 | $115,600 | $89,335 | |
| Kansas | $62,757 | $114,603 | $83,834 | |
| Kentucky | $63,372 | $114,891 | $87,119 | |
| Louisiana | $67,827 | $113,806 | $89,970 | |
| Maine | $84,338 | $131,639 | $109,117 | |
| Maryland | $69,874 | $111,907 | $85,798 | |
| Massachusetts | $65,025 | $121,838 | $89,949 | |
| Michigan | $60,185 | $121,920 | $81,832 | |
| Minnesota | $64,679 | $113,176 | $84,347 | |
| Mississippi | $79,146 | $120,683 | $94,812 | |
| Missouri | $65,379 | $117,038 | $87,745 | |
| Montana | $76,573 | $124,907 | $96,617 | |
| Nebraska | $72,941 | $124,712 | $96,615 | |
| Nevada | $73,004 | $119,347 | $92,931 | |
| New Hampshire | $66,107 | $119,697 | $85,804 | |
| New Jersey | $65,691 | $119,780 | $85,625 | |
| New Mexico | $66,655 | $120,013 | $86,285 | |
| New York | $66,300 | $119,143 | $85,765 | |
| North Carolina | $66,602 | $114,430 | $86,631 | |
| North Dakota | $65,479 | $116,905 | $85,099 | |
| Ohio | $60,046 | $114,274 | $79,814 | |
| Oklahoma | $66,501 | $121,645 | $90,823 | |
| Oregon | $70,894 | $116,689 | $90,694 | |
| Pennsylvania | $54,920 | $110,173 | $79,987 | |
| Rhode Island | $74,945 | $124,806 | $90,507 | |
| South Carolina | $65,309 | $113,001 | $85,009 | |
| South Dakota | $68,275 | $118,159 | $87,253 | |
| Tennessee | $62,141 | $107,410 | $84,513 | |
| Texas | $65,947 | $114,356 | $83,667 | |
| Utah | $61,040 | $104,000 | $75,000 | |
| Vermont | $87,733 | $124,145 | $103,704 | |
| Virginia | $70,078 | $116,284 | $88,843 | |
| Washington | $70,200 | $113,899 | $89,631 | |
| West Virginia | $67,569 | $116,098 | $88,084 | |
| Wisconsin | $68,080 | $126,835 | $87,450 | |
| Wyoming | $80,000 | $121,486 | $97,627 | |
What Factors Can Influence a Therapist’s Starting Salary?
These are huge numbers! But why do they vary? It would be wise to reiterate that the starting salary for therapists differs across several factors.
Educational Qualification
A Bachelor’s degree is necessary to start a therapy practice, although we recommend getting a Master’s to increase your asking price.
Therapists with Doctorate degrees can charge higher, thanks to a highly specialized body of knowledge and unparalleled expertise.
Location
You might think that large metropolitan areas are the best places to start a career in therapy. Unfortunately, it’s not always the case.
For instance, the starting salary for therapists in Alaska is about $90,000, averaging $113,500 and peaking at $143,000 yearly. We’re looking at an hourly starting rate of about $43.
Comparing Alaska to Washington, beginner therapists in the Evergreen State often charge about $33 per hour, allowing them to bring home $70,000 yearly.
Surprised? That’s not all.
Cities within states also vary in salaries.
For example, novice Seattle, WA therapists can earn around $79,000 yearly, while more seasoned professionals can charge $53 hourly.
Their counterparts in Spokane might earn more (around $83,000), while beginner Tacoma therapists can have a slightly leaner paycheck (about $78,000 yearly).
Interested to start a business in Washington? Then find out How to Start a Therapy Practice in Washington State.
Setting up your therapy clinic in a small, rural town means you cannot charge clients as much as you would high-paying ones in the city. Their income might be insufficient to pay for your professional services.
Specialization
People consult professional therapists for various reasons. That’s where your specialization comes into play. They vary in fees, too.
For example, a beginning divorce therapist in Washington can start with a $70,000 salary.
As your experience and reputation grow, so does your salary. It could reach around $89,000 yearly. And if you’re a big-time divorce therapist, you can see your annual paycheck balloon to $137,600.
If you specialize in helping people with eating disorders, you’ll be happy to learn the starting salary for such a specialization is around $85,000. The rate maxes at $171,800 and averages $120,900.
You can also specialize in educational counseling, career counseling, addiction therapy, rehabilitation counseling, nutritional therapy, grief counseling, dialectical behavioral therapy, affirmative therapy, musical therapy, art therapy, and child therapy.
Final Thoughts
The starting salary for therapists is at par with other professionals, including doctors, nurse practitioners, and dentists.
Several factors, including location, education, and specialization, can influence the amount of money a beginning therapy practitioner can earn.
Of course, setting up and managing a clinic can involve expenses that can impact income.
And if you’re having issues reconciling your remuneration with operational expenditures, let’s chat to get your accounting on the right track.
Simply head over to our Getting Started page to book your first call. We’re always here to help.
Until next time!
