How to become a Credit Counselor

Official title: Credit Counselors

Also called: 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, Financial Health Counselor, Housing Counselor

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.

Main tasks

• Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
• Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
• Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
• 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.
• Advise clients or respond to inquiries about financial matters in person or via phone, email, Web site, or Internet chat.
• 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.
• Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.

How to become one

Credit counselors typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Candidates with a high school diploma may qualify for some jobs. Once hired, workers typically need several months of on-the-job training to attain competency.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Business & Commerce degrees, Offered by 35 universities in the US

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $52,230 a year The middle half earn $45,720 to $64,080.
• About 31,200 people work in this job now, and about 32,300 are projected by 2035. (+3.3%)
• People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Related jobs

• Loan Officers
• Financial and Investment Analysts
• Accountants and Auditors
• Appraisers of Personal and Business Property
• Appraisers and Assessors of Real Estate
• Budget Analysts

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Questions people ask

How do I become a Credit Counselor?

Credit counselors typically need a bachelor's degree to enter the occupation. Candidates with a high school diploma may qualify for some jobs. Once hired, workers typically need several months of on-the-job training to attain competency.

How much does a Credit Counselor earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $52,230 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $45,720 to $64,080.

Is a Credit Counselor a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 3% by 2035, from about 31,200 to about 32,300 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become a Credit Counselor?

Not always. 54% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Ways in include: Business & Commerce degrees.

Will AI change the work of a Credit Counselor?

People already use generative AI for a good share of this work, which usually changes the job more than it replaces it. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as high.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

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.