Sexologist Salaries: How Much Can You Make?

If you’re interested in becoming a sexologist, you’ve probably searched online for sexologist salary or how much do sexologists make. And likely, you found information that told you a sexologist in the US can make about $50k – $69k a year. We’re here to tell you – from our own practical experience – that these estimates are flawed, at best.

How much can you really expect to earn as a sexologist? Here are the facts for you.

Why Sexologists Are Sought After

First off – it’s good to know that sexology is a sought-after service.

Fulfilling sex and relationships are the lead causes of happiness in people’s lives. An 80-year-long Harvard study concluded that “The surprising finding is that our relationships and how happy we are in our relationships has a powerful influence on our health. Close relationships, more than money or fame, are what keep people happy throughout their lives. Those ties protect people from life’s discontents, help to delay mental and physical decline, and are better predictors of long and happy lives than social class, IQ, or even genes.”

On the other hand, having difficulties in one’s relationships or lacking satisfying sex can cause a lot of misery. Because of negative messaging around sex in society, people often find it to be the most challenging part of their relationship. But this also means there are always people with money who are prepared to spend it on this area of their lives.

Get a Recession-proof Career As A Sexologist

Given that the US is looking at the potential of a coming recession, you might wonder if becoming a sexologist is still a good move. To that end, it’s good to be aware that people are even more likely to reach out for mental health help when the economy is not doing well.

One of the best things about being a sexologist is also that very few highly skilled professionals are offering this work. This means, recession or not, you can always charge a premium, simply because you have the skills to help people improve their sex lives.

And from a job satisfaction perspective, it can feel wonderful knowing you’re truly helpful. Particularly when clients are experiencing external stressors that make sex and relationships more challenging.

You Will Be in High Demand And Face Low Competition

Another surprising aspect of the field of sexology? There are very few programs – in the US and globally – that train people to be sexologists. (As a certified Somatica Practitioner, you can get accredited by the American Board of Sexology, and as such will be able to practice as a sexologist.)

Even though sex is one of our most universal needs, we are continually finding a lack of trained people in the profession to meet the demand. That means, just about anywhere you want to set up a practice, you will be in high demand, with very few competitors.

How Much are Sexologist Salaries in the US?

Being a certified sexologist is a lucrative career. Sure, it may take you a year or so to build a full practice. But once you get to your full rate, you can charge 15 – 25% more than other types of coaches in your area.

Statistics about sexologist salaries in the US vary widely, as pay rates are highly localized. According to Salary.com, the average sexologist in the US earns about $57,100 a year. A sexologist salary in much of California would likely fall on the higher end of this spectrum – between $65,000 and $71,400. This is comparable to a what a sexologist in New York can make, but other metro areas like Miami ($55,600) or New Orleans ($56,500) fall on the lower end of the scale.

Trained and certified Somatica coaches are making different salaries, depending on where they are located. For example, a Somatica practitioner in South Carolina may be making about $150 for an hour and fifteen minutes, while coaches in the Bay Area are charging between $250 and $300 for an hour and fifteen-minute session. If you take these numbers and apply them to a Somatica coach doing about 15 sessions a week, the yearly income for a Somatica sexologist would fall between $112,500 and $225,000.

How Do Sexologist Salaries Compare Globally?

Many Somatica coaches are now sprinkled across the globe, so we were able to obtain sexologist salary examples from them.

• A Somatica coach in South Africa is offering a 3-month coaching package for USD $10,000.
• One Somatica coach in Canada is charging CAD 220 for one hour and fifteen minute session (about $170 US).
• A Somatica coach in Australia is charging $185 AUD for the same session (about $125 US).
• And, in Europe, a Dutch Somatica coach is charging 165€ for an hour and fifteen minute session (about $175 US)

Do Insurance Companies Cover The Sessions?

As a mental health professional, you’ll probably want to know if you’ll have to deal with reimbursements by insurance companies. And clients are likely to ask if their health insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) will cover their visit to you.

Insurance companies, HSAs and FSAs only reimburse or allow spending on sexologists who are licensed by the state. This means, a clinical sexologist’s salary might include insurance reimbursements. If you’re a licensed sex therapist too, you may be able to charge insurance. If you are a coach however, you cannot.

While this might seem sub-optimal at first glance, the real bad news is the ridiculously low reimbursement rates insurance companies offer to licensed professionals. To keep your salary high, you are better off building a private practice for yourself and avoiding the massive debt you’re likely to obtain with the licensing route.

Become a Sexologist and Start Seeing Clients in 6 Months

While the Somatica Training to become a certified sexologist takes more than 6 months, it is possible to start working with clients and earning money while you are still in the process of getting trained. This means you could be helping people and starting your lucrative, recession-proof career in no time at all!