Ever wonder “How Much Do LPC-Associates Get Paid in Texas?”
If you’re starting your journey as an LPC-Associate, you’re probably trying to figure out what a “normal” salary looks like. The truth? It depends on the setting, the funding, the city you live in, and what the actual workload looks like.
You’re stepping into the field as a trained, master’s-level clinician. Your work is valuable, and the more you understand the landscape, the better you’ll be at choosing a job that fits your life.
1. Nonprofit & Agency Jobs: Where Many Associates Begin
Most Associates start in community nonprofits or agencies because that’s where the jobs are. But pay in these settings depends heavily on grants and local funding.
San Antonio Examples (Low Cost of Living)
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Local grants: ~$53,000+
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Regional/state grants: ~$60,000+
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Federal/national grants: ~$75,000+
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These are typical full-time (40 hr/week) clinician roles.
Pay Isn’t Everything — Look at the Workload
Higher-paying grants often come with higher expectations:
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Average caseload: ~25 clients/week
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Higher-paying grants: 30+ clients/week
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More admin: reporting, documentation, productivity tracking
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Sometimes the “lower salary” is the healthier choice if it means a manageable caseload (14–18 clients) and realistic admin expectations.
2. For-Profit / Private Practice Employment
In a for-profit practice (private pay or insurance-based), Associates are usually paid per session:
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$20–$50 per session depending on the practice, structure, and benefits.
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W-2 vs. 1099 Matters
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1099 = self-employed. You pay your own taxes (~25%), no benefits.
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W-2 = employee. Taxes withheld, more stability, possible benefits.
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A $40/hr 1099 rate becomes ~$30/hr after taxes. Sometimes $35/hr W-2 ends up being the better deal.
Key questions to ask:
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How many clients per week?
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Are cancellations paid?
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Are admin hours included?
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Is supervision provided?
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3. Opening Your Own Private Practice as an LPC-Associate
This option sounds exciting—and it can be—but it comes with a lot of responsibility.
Typical Private Practice Rates
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$75–$130 per session for LPC-Associates in private pay settings.
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Sounds enticing, right? Just remember: You only get paid when a client actually shows up and PAYS for the service.
You’re Running a Business, Not Just Seeing Clients
You’re responsible for everything:
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Marketing & networking
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SEO & website upkeep
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Accounting & taxes
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Scheduling & systems
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Office/telehealth costs
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Supervision
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Insurance & legal needs
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This is why “quick math” can be misleading.
25 clients × $100 × 49 weeks = $122,500 on paper — but not in reality.
After:
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Taxes (25%)
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Time off
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No-shows
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Slow seasons
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Business expenses
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…your take-home is very different. Private practice can be an amazing path, but go in with clear expectations.
4. Cost of Living & Location Matter
Texas is huge. San Antonio, Dallas, and Houston have completely different pay scales simply because the cost of living varies.
Always look at:
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City
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Funding source (ie: grant type)
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Workload
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Expectations beyond the salary
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A $60k job might feel great in one city and tight in another.
Final Thoughts
You don’t have to settle. You don’t have to accept the first number thrown at you. You absolutely can negotiate (more on that in another blog).
Just remember:
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Your work is valuable.
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Pay = workload + admin + expectations.
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Know the difference between nonprofit, for-profit, and private practice paths.
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Look at the whole picture, not just the number.
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You got this!