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Career

Credit Counselors

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeLower pressure

What they do

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.

Kinds of work

  • Conventional: Organizing information, following clear procedures and working with data and details.
  • Social: Helping, teaching, caring for and supporting other people.
  • Enterprising: Leading, persuading, selling and starting new projects or businesses.

Lower pressure: How much pressure workers in this job report: deadlines, conflict, dealing with upset people, the cost of mistakes, responsibility for others' safety, competition and long hours. It varies a lot from one employer to the next. Source: U.S. Department of Labor worker surveys.

Pay, tasks and more

Salary

United States $52,230 Median per year · $25.11/hr Most earn $38,350–$80,440

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025.

What you might do

  • Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
  • Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
  • Investigate missing checks, payment histories, held funds, returned checks, or other related issues to resolve client or creditor problems.
  • 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.
  • Advise clients on housing matters, such as housing rental, homeownership, mortgage delinquency, or foreclosure prevention.
  • Interview clients by telephone or in person to gather financial information.

Job outlook

United States
3% more jobs by 2035, about as fast as average · about 2,000 openings a year

Openings include new jobs and jobs left by workers who retire or change careers. Projections: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Bright Outlook": U.S. Department of Labor.

Where they work

  • Colleges, universities, and professional schools38.6%
  • Junior colleges13.1%
  • General medical and surgical hospitals7.9%
  • Credit intermediation and related activities5.7%
  • Other nondepository credit intermediation4.6%

Share of all workers in this career. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Employment Matrix.

Experience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Career path

How people usually get into this career, from school to their first job and beyond.

Typical education: Bachelor's degreeExperience before this job: 1 to 2 years

Credit counseling usually isn't a job you start straight out of school. Most people earn a bachelor's degree, then spend about 1 to 2 years in a related entry-level job before they take on this work.

  1. Bachelor's degree in finance, economics, business, or social work

    4 years

    You learn how loans, credit, budgeting, and money decisions work, and you build the writing and communication skills you'll use when explaining them to people.

  2. Credit Analyst

    1-2 years

    You review applicants' credit histories and finances, which gives you hands-on knowledge of debt, credit scores, and loan requirements that counselors rely on.

  3. Credit Counselor

    Ongoing

    You advise people and organizations on managing debt, building budgets, planning repayment, and choosing the right type of loan.

Where it can lead

  1. Personal Financial Advisor

    2-4 years of experience first

    You shift from helping people with debt to guiding wider goals like saving, investing, and retirement, which usually requires extra financial planning knowledge and often a professional certification.

  2. Financial Manager

    4-6 years of experience first

    You take on responsibility for an organization's or team's financial planning, reporting, and decisions, which usually builds on years of experience in finance roles.

What you can do now

Ideas for high school and college students.

In high school

  • Take math and economics classesStrong math and an intro to economics give you a foundation for understanding loans, interest, and budgets.
  • Get a starter jobA part-time job at a bank, store, or restaurant helps you practice handling money, talking with customers, and being responsible with money.
  • Join a debate, speech, or business clubThese groups build the clear speaking and explaining skills you'll use every day as a counselor.
  • Volunteer with a food bank or community centerHelping people in your community gives you exposure to money problems and to the work of helping others with them.
  • Track your own moneyKeeping a simple budget for your allowance or paycheck teaches the basics you'll later teach clients.

In college

  • Major in finance, economics, or businessThese majors cover loans, credit, and personal finance, which are the core topics of this career.
  • Take courses in personal finance, consumer law, or counselingCourses on consumer protection, financial planning, or counseling skills give you practical knowledge that employers look for.
  • Get an internship at a bank, credit union, or credit counseling agencyReal work experience with borrowers is the best way to see if this career fits you and to build the experience employers want.
  • Work a campus job in a financial office or student servicesJobs like working at a bursar's office or financial aid office teach you how loans and aid work in real life.
  • Join a finance or investment clubClubs help you build teamwork, networking, and practical money skills outside the classroom.

Tips for getting started

  • Look for entry-level jobs at banks, credit unions, or nonprofit credit counseling agencies. Hands-on experience with real borrowers is what employers value most.
  • Strong listening and plain-language explanation skills matter as much as math. Practice explaining money topics simply to friends or family.
  • Consider a certification in credit counseling or financial counseling later on. Check which ones your state or employer recognizes before you commit.

Related jobs that often lead here

Related jobs a step up

Education, experience and related careers: U.S. Department of Labor. The step-by-step path, where it can lead and what you can do now were written by AI as typical examples; many people take other ways.

College majors that lead here

Majors: U.S. Department of Education and BLS (CIP–SOC crosswalk). Earnings and debt: College Scorecard, typical across U.S. colleges.

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