I'm an LPC with four years experience since graduate school. Before I was licensed and when I was working for other people (community mental health, adjunct lecturing), I was making between $35k-$50k a year. I've been in private practice for almost two years now, and I already make a little over $100k per year. That includes giving myself 7 weeks vacation time per year. I fully expect to hit $110k by the end of this year, and I believe it is possible I could reach $130k annually over the next five years. I'm not sure I'll ever make more than that unless I start to hire people to work for me/make money for me.
The responses you received here are mostly right. Most LPCs won't make more than $60k per year, though a small percentage will stretch to $80k per year. I do believe there are practical things you can do though to make a six figure plus income. It's too much to detail in a post here on the forum, but here are some of the main points that come to mind...
First and foremost, love what you do.
Be really good at what you do.
Have your own long-term psychotherapy experience.
Start a private practice and be willing to take business risks. Always make business decisions with long-term success in mind, even if you lose more money initially. Invest in your future! Please, NEVER make business decisions because it promises money sooner, is easier, less work, etc... When you grab the low-hanging fruit you will always end up stuck in the $60k-$80k crowd.
Know the human mind inside and out. Be willing to invest hours upon hours every week to learning, CE events, reading, etc... until you reach a saturation point where nothing is really 'new'.
Study marketing and know how to reach your target client population.
Develop a savvy business sensibility (good organization skills, administration duties, accounting, etc...)
Diversify your career by adding consulting, teaching, etc...
Submit presentation proposals to conferences, get accepted to present, and build a name for yourself on a national or international scale.
Develop a positive internet presence.
Publish as many high quality articles as you can, whether it's in academic journals or even if you self-publish online. Put out quality content that even other therapists want to read.
Differentiate yourself from other therapists in the area (see the last few points above. If you were a client, would you want to see THAT therapist or Ms. Average LPC?)
Get as many private-pay and out-of-network clients as you can so you can charge whatever rate you're really worth (because insurance companies pay awful reimbursements).
Don't overwork yourself. See clients only 4 days/week and use the 5th day for administration tasks or a long weekend. See no more than 20-25 clients per week.
I don't advertise myself to a 'difficult' diagnostic group to get clients, nor do I work ridiculously long office hours into the evening or on weekends, etc... I truly LOVE what I do, have been planning my career out for a long time (since I was in college, really), and I make sure I take super good care of my health. Don't listen to people who tell you that you can't make money doing masters-level work. If you're passionate and skilled, good money is entirely possible.
There's A LOT more I could say, but these are the main points, and I have a few things that I keep to myself
While you're in school, I would devote every day to your program and give it your all. Get involved in research projects with professors if possible. Hone your writing skills with your papers (treat them as if they're going to be published) so that your writing skills are developed for public writing when you leave school. Don't slack/party. Network with established professionals. Develop good relationships with your professors. Avoid political issues within your department and your cohort. Do what is expected of you at internship. Be humble!