Credit Counselors in District of Columbia
Thinking about a career as a Credit Counselors in District of Columbia? Below are the key facts. 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 do Credit Counselors Make in District of Columbia?
For credit counselors working in District of Columbia, the median annual wage is $61,810 per year (or roughly $29.71/hour).Earnings range from $52,350 at the 10th percentile to $97,560 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $52,350 | $25.17 |
| 25th percentile | $57,020 | $27.41 |
| Median (50th) | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| 75th percentile | $78,950 | $37.96 |
| 90th percentile | $97,560 | $46.91 |
The location quotient — a measure of how concentrated this occupation is in District of Columbia compared to the national average — is 0.97.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, credit counselors earn a median of $86,279 per year ($41.48/hour), lower than the District of Columbia median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 396,479 credit counselors nationwide. In District of Columbia alone, approximately 130 people work in this role. That’s fewer than the typical state, which employs around 270 credit counselors.
Top District of Columbia Metros for Credit Counselors
These are the District of Columbia metros with the most credit counselors in District of Columbia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 430 | $61,810 |
Top States for Credit Counselors Employment
The table below shows the states where the most credit counselors work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Texas | 3,530 |
| Florida | 2,760 |
| California | 2,160 |
| New York | 1,760 |
| Illinois | 1,490 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,420 |
| Michigan | 1,280 |
| Arizona | 1,240 |
| Massachusetts | 930 |
| Tennessee | 880 |
| Ohio | 870 |
| Wisconsin | 850 |
| Virginia | 850 |
| Minnesota | 590 |
| Indiana | 570 |
| Iowa | 490 |
| New Jersey | 460 |
| Colorado | 380 |
| North Carolina | 360 |
| Maryland | 320 |
Highest-Paying States for Credit Counselors
Where credit counselors earn the most: credit counselors.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| California | $65,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,330 |
| New York | $62,090 |
| Massachusetts | $62,060 |
| District of Columbia | $61,810 |
| Washington | $61,170 |
| Oregon | $58,730 |
| Minnesota | $58,640 |
| Maryland | $58,300 |
| Rhode Island | $58,220 |
Skills
Top credit counselors skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Key abilities for credit counselors, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, credit counselors typically:
- Calculate clients' available monthly income to meet debt obligations.
- Explain services or policies to clients, such as debt management program rules, advantages and disadvantages of using services, or creditor concession policies.
- Create debt management plans, spending plans, or budgets to assist clients to meet financial goals.
- 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.
- Assess clients' overall financial situations by reviewing income, assets, debts, expenses, credit reports, or other financial information.
- 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.
- 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.
- Estimate time for debt repayment, given amount of debt, interest rates, and available funds.
- Prepare written documents to establish contracts with or communicate financial recommendations to clients.
- Maintain or update records of client account activity, including financial transactions, counseling session notes, correspondence, document images, or client inquiries.
- Negotiate with creditors on behalf of clients to arrange for payment adjustments, interest rate reductions, time extensions, or payment plans.
Work Activities
- Getting Information
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Working with Computers
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Communicating with People Outside the Organization
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
- Processing Information
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public
- Performing Administrative Activities
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Tools & Technology
Software and systems commonly involved: Hot technologies: Microsoft Access In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Related college programs include:
- Finance & Financial Management
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Related Careers
Related occupations to credit counselors include:
- Financial Managers
- Accountants and Auditors
- Credit Analysts
- Financial and Investment Analysts
- Personal Financial Advisors
- Loan Officers
Also Known As
Accredited Financial Counselor, Branch Credit Counselor, Certified Consumer Credit and Housing Counselor, Certified Credit Consultant, Certified Credit Counselor, Certified Credit and Housing Counselor, Consumer Credit Counselor, Consumer Lending Manager, Credit Associate, Credit Balance Specialist, Credit Card Specialist, Credit Counselor, Credit Representative, Credit Review Specialist, Credit Services Representative.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 13-2071.00