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.
Credit Counselors
SOC: 13-2071 O*NET: 13-2071.00
Median Salary
$50,480
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 3.3%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
2.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Job Zone 4
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 does a Credit Counselors do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,980
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,420
25th percentile
Median
$50,480
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,760
75th percentile
Top Earners
$77,920
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,980
25th
$45,420
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$50,480
Mean: $55,890
75th
$61,760
90th
$77,920
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $38,940 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,420 and $61,760
- •Salary spread is 32.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 28,110 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:31,800
Top Industries
Educational Services24.8%
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools18.5%
Finance and Insurance13.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+3.3%
Annual Openings:2,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)31,800
Current
2034 (Projected)32,900
+3.3%
+1,100
Employment Change
+3.3%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Credit Counselors professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 46 locations
Texas
3,530 jobs$46,9101.40x
Florida
2,760 jobs$48,3401.54x
California
2,160 jobs$65,8200.65x
New York
1,760 jobs$62,0901.01x
Illinois
1,490 jobs$51,1601.35x
Pennsylvania
1,420 jobs$49,0401.29x
Michigan
1,280 jobs$51,0001.60x
Arizona
1,240 jobs$47,3002.13x
Massachusetts
930 jobs$62,0601.40x
Tennessee
880 jobs$44,3001.48x
Ohio
870 jobs$52,4700.86x
Wisconsin
850 jobs$51,3401.60x
Virginia
850 jobs$51,3301.14x
Minnesota
590 jobs$58,6401.11x
Indiana
570 jobs$50,4400.98x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Speaking
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Writing
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Service Orientation
66%
#7
Active Learning
60%
#8
Complex Problem Solving
54%
#9
Judgment and Decision Making
46%
#10
Persuasion
40%
Skills Overview
Speaking
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Writing
intermediate4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Service Orientation
intermediate3.3
66%
Active Learning
intermediate3.0
60%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Speaking
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance80%
skills
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Service Orientation
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Active Learning
intermediateImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Judgment and Decision Making
basicImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Persuasion
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Archivists82%
5 shared skills
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs82%
5 shared skills
Human Resources Specialists82%
5 shared skills
Insurance Underwriters82%
5 shared skills
Marriage and Family Therapists82%
5 shared skills
Mental Health Counselors82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
Learn on the Job:
- →Service Orientation
- →Active Learning
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Writing
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Speaking
- ★Active Listening
- ★Writing
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Credit Counselors
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Access
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Dynamics
🔥 Hot TechOracle PeopleSoft
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Access
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Dynamics
Oracle PeopleSoft
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (11)Analysis & Evaluation (1)Planning & Development (6)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Communication & Coordination (1)
1
Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development91% perform94%
5
Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision85% perform90%
7
Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping79% perform86%
9
Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or payment plans.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Credit Counselors
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Credit Counselors professionals typically have a CSE Holland code and highly value relationships
CConventional
SSocial
EEnterprising
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Credit Counselors
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.96
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.76
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.68
Attention to Detail
CriticalAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.64
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.60
Cooperation
Very ImportantCooperation
Importance Level4.48
Complete Work Styles Profile
Integrity
5.0
Dependability
4.8
Concern for Others
4.7
Attention to Detail
4.6
Self-Control
4.6
Cooperation
4.5
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.4
Stress Tolerance
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.3
Achievement/Effort
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree or higher
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 4
Considerable Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree or higher
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Training:
Significant preparation with related work experience
💼 Experience Requirement
A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Bachelor's degree in related field
- • Several years of work experience
- • Professional certifications often required
4
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
Bachelor's degree in related fieldSeveral years of work experienceProfessional certifications often required
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