21 Series · SOC 21-1018
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $59,350
- Median / year
- $97,590
- Top 10% earn
- +16.8%
- Growth '23–'33
- 491,930
- US workers
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn a median of $59,350 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $59,350, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $38,940 (10th percentile) to $97,590 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 491,930 US workers. Alaska pays the most ($80,770), since pay varies by state and metro area.
The pay verdict
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn a median of $59,350, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 47% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Community and Social Service, it ranks #10 of 17 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 16.8% by 2033.
- $59,350
- Median annual wage
- Top 53%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #10 of 17
- in Community and Social Service
- 2.5×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: Alaska at $80,770. Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018) pays a national median of $59,350 per year according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey released in May 2025. Full-range compensation stretches from $38,940 at the 10th percentile to $97,590 at the 90th, with a mean of $64,440 indicating a right-skew where top earners pull the average above the midpoint. An estimated 491,930 Americans work in this occupation across 52 reporting states and 521 metro areas.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +16.8% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which the agency classifies as much faster than average relative to the 5% all-occupations baseline. About 48,300 openings are projected per year, combining new positions with replacement needs from retirements and occupation-switchers. Typical entry-level preparation is Master's degree and internship/residency of on-the-job training. The BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII) produce a workplace-safety grade of A for this role, with a fatality rate of 0.3 per 100,000 and injury rate of 0.5 per 100.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. Alaska pays the highest state median at $80,770, which is +36% above the national figure. The top metro is Fairbanks-College, AK at $83,680 - metro premiums typically reflect higher cost of living, industry concentration, or specialized employer demand. When using this page for negotiation or career planning, pair the national median with the state and metro rows below, remember that BLS wages exclude benefits, bonuses, and overtime, and revisit after each May OEWS release since percentiles shift with cost-of-living cycles and industry demand. See our methodology for exactly how these figures are sourced, computed, and verified.
BLS OEWS May 2025 491,930 jobs Median $59,350/yr
Median Salary
$59,350
per year
Median Hourly
$28.53/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$64,440
average
Employment
491,930
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$59,350 Bottom 47% higher than 47% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 21-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Among 17 21-series occupations with growth data, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors sits on the faster-growing side at +16.8% growth and $59,350 median pay.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+16.8%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
48,300
per year (projected)
Typical Education
Master's degree
On-the-Job Training
Internship/residency
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → A
Very Safe
Safety Grade (BLS 2023)
Fatality Rate
0.3/100K
Injury Rate
0.5/100
Danger Index
2.2/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
10th Percentile
$38,940
25th Percentile
$47,100
Median
$59,350
75th Percentile
$76,530
90th Percentile
$97,590
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $80,770 | +36% above national |
| 2 | Oregon | $74,590 | +26% above national |
| 3 | New Mexico | $74,100 | +25% above national |
| 4 | Washington | $68,910 | +16% above national |
| 5 | North Dakota | $68,630 | +16% above national |
| 6 | Arizona | $65,300 | +10% above national |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $65,120 | +10% above national |
| 8 | Utah | $63,890 | +8% above national |
| 9 | Nebraska | $63,770 | +7% above national |
| 10 | Connecticut | $63,590 | +7% above national |
| 11 | Idaho | $63,360 | +7% above national |
| 12 | Wyoming | $62,980 | +6% above national |
| 13 | New Jersey | $62,820 | +6% above national |
| 14 | Texas | $62,630 | +6% above national |
| 15 | Colorado | $62,390 | +5% above national |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $62,220 | +5% above national |
| 17 | Vermont | $61,810 | +4% above national |
| 18 | Michigan | $61,690 | +4% above national |
| 19 | Iowa | $60,880 | +3% above national |
| 20 | Illinois | $60,730 | +2% above national |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $60,450 | +2% above national |
| 22 | Hawaii | $60,090 | +1% above national |
| 23 | Maine | $59,970 | +1% above national |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $59,890 | +1% above national |
| 25 | Virginia | $59,880 | +1% above national |
| 26 | Maryland | $59,530 | same as national |
| 27 | Kansas | $59,470 | same as national |
| 28 | New York | $59,450 | same as national |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $59,350 | same as national |
| 30 | California | $59,250 | same as national |
| 31 | Montana | $59,000 | 1% below national |
| 32 | Georgia | $58,960 | 1% below national |
| 33 | Minnesota | $58,780 | 1% below national |
| 34 | Ohio | $58,360 | 2% below national |
| 35 | Nevada | $57,210 | 4% below national |
| 36 | Missouri | $56,910 | 4% below national |
| 37 | Florida | $56,790 | 4% below national |
| 38 | Delaware | $56,020 | 6% below national |
| 39 | North Carolina | $55,490 | 7% below national |
| 40 | New Hampshire | $54,840 | 8% below national |
| 41 | Kentucky | $54,190 | 9% below national |
| 42 | Indiana | $53,760 | 9% below national |
| 43 | South Dakota | $53,650 | 10% below national |
| 44 | South Carolina | $52,370 | 12% below national |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $52,010 | 12% below national |
| 46 | Arkansas | $51,580 | 13% below national |
| 47 | Tennessee | $49,580 | 16% below national |
| 48 | West Virginia | $49,430 | 17% below national |
| 49 | Alabama | $47,310 | 20% below national |
| 50 | Mississippi | $46,990 | 21% below national |
| 51 | Puerto Rico | $46,790 | 21% below national |
| 52 | Louisiana | $37,910 | 36% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
View all 521 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairbanks-College, AK | $83,680 | +41% above national |
| 2 | Anchorage, AK | $81,120 | +37% above national |
| 3 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80,770 | +36% above national |
| 4 | Albany, OR | $78,910 | +33% above national |
| 5 | Salem, OR | $78,870 | +33% above national |
| 6 | Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $78,420 | +32% above national |
| 7 | Bellingham, WA | $77,620 | +31% above national |
| 8 | Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area | $76,600 | +29% above national |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $76,480 | +29% above national |
| 10 | Las Cruces, NM | $76,350 | +29% above national |
| 11 | Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $75,940 | +28% above national |
| 12 | Coast Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $75,900 | +28% above national |
| 13 | Corvallis, OR | $75,700 | +28% above national |
| 14 | Bend, OR | $75,470 | +27% above national |
| 15 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $75,420 | +27% above national |
| 16 | Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $75,180 | +27% above national |
| 17 | Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $75,040 | +26% above national |
| 18 | Boulder, CO | $75,020 | +26% above national |
| 19 | Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $74,990 | +26% above national |
| 20 | East North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $74,420 | +25% above national |
| 21 | Santa Fe, NM | $74,100 | +25% above national |
| 22 | Albuquerque, NM | $73,990 | +25% above national |
| 23 | Salinas, CA | $73,940 | +25% above national |
| 24 | El Centro, CA | $73,620 | +24% above national |
| 25 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $73,580 | +24% above national |
| 26 | Grants Pass, OR | $73,550 | +24% above national |
| 27 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $73,540 | +24% above national |
| 28 | Midland, MI | $73,450 | +24% above national |
| 29 | High Desert Utah nonmetropolitan area | $73,220 | +23% above national |
| 30 | Niles, MI | $73,200 | +23% above national |
| 31 | Farmington, NM | $73,070 | +23% above national |
| 32 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $72,960 | +23% above national |
| 33 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $72,770 | +23% above national |
| 34 | Idaho Falls, ID | $72,630 | +22% above national |
| 35 | Logan, UT-ID | $72,580 | +22% above national |
| 36 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,550 | +22% above national |
| 37 | St. George, UT | $72,510 | +22% above national |
| 38 | Northeast Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $72,320 | +22% above national |
| 39 | Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $72,200 | +22% above national |
| 40 | West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $72,000 | +21% above national |
| 41 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $71,120 | +20% above national |
| 42 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $70,970 | +20% above national |
| 43 | Bismarck, ND | $70,810 | +19% above national |
| 44 | Northwestern Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $69,870 | +18% above national |
| 45 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $69,770 | +18% above national |
| 46 | Ames, IA | $69,750 | +18% above national |
| 47 | Ogden, UT | $69,590 | +17% above national |
| 48 | Lewiston, ID-WA | $69,200 | +17% above national |
| 49 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $69,090 | +16% above national |
| 50 | Medford, OR | $68,990 | +16% above national |
| 51 | Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $68,660 | +16% above national |
| 52 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $68,400 | +15% above national |
| 53 | Battle Creek, MI | $68,370 | +15% above national |
| 54 | Champaign-Urbana, IL | $68,300 | +15% above national |
| 55 | Walla Walla, WA | $68,160 | +15% above national |
| 56 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $68,140 | +15% above national |
| 57 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $67,650 | +14% above national |
| 58 | Western Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $67,650 | +14% above national |
| 59 | Amarillo, TX | $67,630 | +14% above national |
| 60 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,510 | +14% above national |
| 61 | Oshkosh-Neenah, WI | $67,450 | +14% above national |
| 62 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $67,370 | +14% above national |
| 63 | Vallejo, CA | $66,940 | +13% above national |
| 64 | Iowa City, IA | $66,810 | +13% above national |
| 65 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $66,780 | +13% above national |
| 66 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $66,750 | +12% above national |
| 67 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $66,540 | +12% above national |
| 68 | Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $66,510 | +12% above national |
| 69 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $66,060 | +11% above national |
| 70 | Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $66,050 | +11% above national |
| 71 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $66,020 | +11% above national |
| 72 | Carson City, NV | $66,000 | +11% above national |
| 73 | Southeast-Central Idaho nonmetropolitan area | $65,990 | +11% above national |
| 74 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $65,940 | +11% above national |
| 75 | Ann Arbor, MI | $65,440 | +10% above national |
| 76 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $65,370 | +10% above national |
| 77 | Enid, OK | $65,360 | +10% above national |
| 78 | Yuma, AZ | $65,300 | +10% above national |
| 79 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $65,270 | +10% above national |
| 80 | Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area | $65,250 | +10% above national |
| 81 | North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $65,240 | +10% above national |
| 82 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $65,220 | +10% above national |
| 83 | Longview-Kelso, WA | $65,140 | +10% above national |
| 84 | Central Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $65,100 | +10% above national |
| 85 | Ithaca, NY | $65,010 | +10% above national |
| 86 | Bozeman, MT | $64,990 | +10% above national |
| 87 | Sierra Vista-Douglas, AZ | $64,950 | +9% above national |
| 88 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,910 | +9% above national |
| 89 | Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $64,690 | +9% above national |
| 90 | Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $64,610 | +9% above national |
| 91 | South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $64,590 | +9% above national |
| 92 | Janesville-Beloit, WI | $64,560 | +9% above national |
| 93 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $64,450 | +9% above national |
| 94 | Lawrence, KS | $64,370 | +8% above national |
| 95 | Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $64,340 | +8% above national |
| 96 | Madison, WI | $64,250 | +8% above national |
| 97 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $64,100 | +8% above national |
| 98 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $64,100 | +8% above national |
| 99 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $63,980 | +8% above national |
| 100 | Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $63,950 | +8% above national |
| 101 | Lexington Park, MD | $63,820 | +8% above national |
| 102 | Sheboygan, WI | $63,820 | +8% above national |
| 103 | Eastern Oregon nonmetropolitan area | $63,710 | +7% above national |
| 104 | Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $63,630 | +7% above national |
| 105 | Flagstaff, AZ | $63,560 | +7% above national |
| 106 | San Angelo, TX | $63,560 | +7% above national |
| 107 | Vineland, NJ | $63,560 | +7% above national |
| 108 | Mankato, MN | $63,460 | +7% above national |
| 109 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | $63,360 | +7% above national |
| 110 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $63,230 | +7% above national |
| 111 | New Haven, CT | $63,110 | +6% above national |
| 112 | Salt Lake City-Murray, UT | $63,100 | +6% above national |
| 113 | Helena, MT | $63,060 | +6% above national |
| 114 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $63,010 | +6% above national |
| 115 | Northwest Nebraska nonmetropolitan area | $62,850 | +6% above national |
| 116 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $62,810 | +6% above national |
| 117 | Chico, CA | $62,780 | +6% above national |
| 118 | Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $62,760 | +6% above national |
| 119 | Western Washington nonmetropolitan area | $62,750 | +6% above national |
| 120 | Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $62,710 | +6% above national |
| 121 | Modesto, CA | $62,700 | +6% above national |
| 122 | Sherman-Denison, TX | $62,700 | +6% above national |
| 123 | Maryland nonmetropolitan area | $62,610 | +5% above national |
| 124 | Napa, CA | $62,580 | +5% above national |
| 125 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $62,560 | +5% above national |
| 126 | El Paso, TX | $62,510 | +5% above national |
| 127 | Visalia, CA | $62,500 | +5% above national |
| 128 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $62,460 | +5% above national |
| 129 | Cheyenne, WY | $62,410 | +5% above national |
| 130 | Southeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $62,400 | +5% above national |
| 131 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $62,300 | +5% above national |
| 132 | Casper, WY | $62,250 | +5% above national |
| 133 | Fond du Lac, WI | $62,190 | +5% above national |
| 134 | North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $62,160 | +5% above national |
| 135 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $62,130 | +5% above national |
| 136 | Wichita Falls, TX | $62,070 | +5% above national |
| 137 | Yuba City, CA | $62,030 | +5% above national |
| 138 | Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $62,030 | +5% above national |
| 139 | Traverse City, MI | $61,990 | +4% above national |
| 140 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $61,960 | +4% above national |
| 141 | Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $61,930 | +4% above national |
| 142 | Barnstable Town, MA | $61,880 | +4% above national |
| 143 | Twin Falls, ID | $61,870 | +4% above national |
| 144 | Pocatello, ID | $61,860 | +4% above national |
| 145 | Eastern and Southern Colorado nonmetropolitan area | $61,850 | +4% above national |
| 146 | Harrisonburg, VA | $61,830 | +4% above national |
| 147 | Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $61,820 | +4% above national |
| 148 | Eau Claire, WI | $61,810 | +4% above national |
| 149 | Boise City, ID | $61,730 | +4% above national |
| 150 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $61,600 | +4% above national |
| 151 | South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area | $61,490 | +4% above national |
| 152 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $61,400 | +3% above national |
| 153 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $61,320 | +3% above national |
| 154 | Jacksonville, FL | $61,260 | +3% above national |
| 155 | Tucson, AZ | $61,250 | +3% above national |
| 156 | Wausau, WI | $61,240 | +3% above national |
| 157 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $61,200 | +3% above national |
| 158 | Topeka, KS | $61,100 | +3% above national |
| 159 | Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $61,060 | +3% above national |
| 160 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $61,050 | +3% above national |
| 161 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $61,020 | +3% above national |
| 162 | Dover, DE | $60,990 | +3% above national |
| 163 | Grand Forks, ND-MN | $60,970 | +3% above national |
| 164 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $60,890 | +3% above national |
| 165 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,880 | +3% above national |
| 166 | Punta Gorda, FL | $60,880 | +3% above national |
| 167 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $60,830 | +2% above national |
| 168 | Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $60,800 | +2% above national |
| 169 | Laredo, TX | $60,780 | +2% above national |
| 170 | Merced, CA | $60,780 | +2% above national |
| 171 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $60,770 | +2% above national |
| 172 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,690 | +2% above national |
| 173 | Arizona nonmetropolitan area | $60,670 | +2% above national |
| 174 | Omaha, NE-IA | $60,650 | +2% above national |
| 175 | Coastal Plains Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $60,650 | +2% above national |
| 176 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $60,580 | +2% above national |
| 177 | Northeast Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $60,470 | +2% above national |
| 178 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $60,430 | +2% above national |
| 179 | Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $60,430 | +2% above national |
| 180 | West Montana nonmetropolitan area | $60,390 | +2% above national |
| 181 | Appleton, WI | $60,380 | +2% above national |
| 182 | North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $60,380 | +2% above national |
| 183 | Northeast Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $60,370 | +2% above national |
| 184 | Southwest Montana nonmetropolitan area | $60,350 | +2% above national |
| 185 | Grand Island, NE | $60,320 | +2% above national |
| 186 | Kenosha, WI | $60,300 | +2% above national |
| 187 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,240 | +1% above national |
| 188 | Lynchburg, VA | $60,220 | +1% above national |
| 189 | Southside Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $60,190 | +1% above national |
| 190 | Monroe, MI | $60,170 | +1% above national |
| 191 | Fargo, ND-MN | $60,130 | +1% above national |
| 192 | Minot, ND | $60,130 | +1% above national |
| 193 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $60,070 | +1% above national |
| 194 | Kingston, NY | $60,040 | +1% above national |
| 195 | Akron, OH | $60,030 | +1% above national |
| 196 | Rochester, MN | $60,010 | +1% above national |
| 197 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $59,990 | +1% above national |
| 198 | Bangor, ME | $59,970 | +1% above national |
| 199 | Green Bay, WI | $59,930 | +1% above national |
| 200 | Northeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $59,890 | +1% above national |
| 201 | Lake Havasu City-Kingman, AZ | $59,800 | +1% above national |
| 202 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI | $59,800 | +1% above national |
| 203 | Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $59,800 | +1% above national |
| 204 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $59,790 | +1% above national |
| 205 | Fresno, CA | $59,790 | +1% above national |
| 206 | West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $59,750 | +1% above national |
| 207 | Colorado Springs, CO | $59,740 | +1% above national |
| 208 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $59,680 | +1% above national |
| 209 | Oklahoma City, OK | $59,660 | +1% above national |
| 210 | Cleveland, OH | $59,630 | same as national |
| 211 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $59,620 | same as national |
| 212 | Rochester, NY | $59,620 | same as national |
| 213 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $59,600 | same as national |
| 214 | Greeley, CO | $59,580 | same as national |
| 215 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $59,560 | same as national |
| 216 | Wasatch Front Fringe Utah nonmetropolitan area | $59,550 | same as national |
| 217 | Lebanon, PA | $59,510 | same as national |
| 218 | Missoula, MT | $59,480 | same as national |
| 219 | Springfield, IL | $59,450 | same as national |
| 220 | Kankakee, IL | $59,440 | same as national |
| 221 | Kansas nonmetropolitan area | $59,400 | same as national |
| 222 | Columbus, OH | $59,370 | same as national |
| 223 | Glens Falls, NY | $59,350 | same as national |
| 224 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,280 | same as national |
| 225 | Wichita, KS | $59,280 | same as national |
| 226 | Fort Wayne, IN | $59,250 | same as national |
| 227 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $59,230 | same as national |
| 228 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $59,180 | same as national |
| 229 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,120 | same as national |
| 230 | Kokomo, IN | $59,040 | 1% below national |
| 231 | Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $58,980 | 1% below national |
| 232 | Columbia, SC | $58,920 | 1% below national |
| 233 | Tulsa, OK | $58,880 | 1% below national |
| 234 | Naples-Marco Island, FL | $58,870 | 1% below national |
| 235 | Killeen-Temple, TX | $58,820 | 1% below national |
| 236 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $58,810 | 1% below national |
| 237 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $58,790 | 1% below national |
| 238 | Springfield, MA | $58,750 | 1% below national |
| 239 | Elizabethtown, KY | $58,720 | 1% below national |
| 240 | Reno, NV | $58,720 | 1% below national |
| 241 | Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $58,640 | 1% below national |
| 242 | Yakima, WA | $58,590 | 1% below national |
| 243 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $58,570 | 1% below national |
| 244 | Sandusky, OH | $58,570 | 1% below national |
| 245 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $58,520 | 1% below national |
| 246 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $58,500 | 1% below national |
| 247 | Pueblo, CO | $58,380 | 2% below national |
| 248 | Billings, MT | $58,350 | 2% below national |
| 249 | Grand Junction, CO | $58,300 | 2% below national |
| 250 | Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area | $58,300 | 2% below national |
| 251 | Flint, MI | $58,250 | 2% below national |
| 252 | Paducah, KY-IL | $58,240 | 2% below national |
| 253 | Tallahassee, FL | $58,240 | 2% below national |
| 254 | Southern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $58,200 | 2% below national |
| 255 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $58,190 | 2% below national |
| 256 | Toledo, OH | $58,190 | 2% below national |
| 257 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $58,140 | 2% below national |
| 258 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV | $58,070 | 2% below national |
| 259 | Worcester, MA | $57,950 | 2% below national |
| 260 | Syracuse, NY | $57,940 | 2% below national |
| 261 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $57,880 | 2% below national |
| 262 | Richmond, VA | $57,860 | 3% below national |
| 263 | Great Falls, MT | $57,850 | 3% below national |
| 264 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $57,750 | 3% below national |
| 265 | Binghamton, NY | $57,720 | 3% below national |
| 266 | Bowling Green, KY | $57,720 | 3% below national |
| 267 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $57,660 | 3% below national |
| 268 | Central East New York nonmetropolitan area | $57,610 | 3% below national |
| 269 | Dubuque, IA | $57,530 | 3% below national |
| 270 | West Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $57,520 | 3% below national |
| 271 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $57,360 | 3% below national |
| 272 | Peoria, IL | $57,350 | 3% below national |
| 273 | Fort Smith, AR-OK | $57,340 | 3% below national |
| 274 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $57,290 | 3% below national |
| 275 | Lima, OH | $57,230 | 4% below national |
| 276 | Charlottesville, VA | $57,220 | 4% below national |
| 277 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $57,210 | 4% below national |
| 278 | Northern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $57,210 | 4% below national |
| 279 | Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $57,180 | 4% below national |
| 280 | East-Central Montana nonmetropolitan area | $57,100 | 4% below national |
| 281 | Southwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $57,090 | 4% below national |
| 282 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $57,080 | 4% below national |
| 283 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $57,030 | 4% below national |
| 284 | Columbia, MO | $57,010 | 4% below national |
| 285 | Jonesboro, AR | $56,930 | 4% below national |
| 286 | Macon-Bibb County, GA | $56,870 | 4% below national |
| 287 | South Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $56,830 | 4% below national |
| 288 | Eastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $56,830 | 4% below national |
| 289 | Hill Country Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $56,790 | 4% below national |
| 290 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $56,780 | 4% below national |
| 291 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $56,710 | 4% below national |
| 292 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $56,640 | 5% below national |
| 293 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $56,580 | 5% below national |
| 294 | Southwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $56,540 | 5% below national |
| 295 | St. Cloud, MN | $56,390 | 5% below national |
| 296 | Western North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $56,360 | 5% below national |
| 297 | Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area | $56,350 | 5% below national |
| 298 | Redding, CA | $56,340 | 5% below national |
| 299 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $56,260 | 5% below national |
| 300 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $56,130 | 5% below national |
| 301 | West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $56,120 | 5% below national |
| 302 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $56,090 | 5% below national |
| 303 | Texarkana, TX-AR | $56,030 | 6% below national |
| 304 | South Florida nonmetropolitan area | $56,020 | 6% below national |
| 305 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $55,990 | 6% below national |
| 306 | Saginaw, MI | $55,960 | 6% below national |
| 307 | Springfield, OH | $55,940 | 6% below national |
| 308 | Columbus, GA-AL | $55,910 | 6% below national |
| 309 | Bloomington, IL | $55,890 | 6% below national |
| 310 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $55,750 | 6% below national |
| 311 | North Florida nonmetropolitan area | $55,720 | 6% below national |
| 312 | Reading, PA | $55,690 | 6% below national |
| 313 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $55,570 | 6% below national |
| 314 | Hinesville, GA | $55,540 | 6% below national |
| 315 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,520 | 6% below national |
| 316 | Greenville, NC | $55,490 | 7% below national |
| 317 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $55,480 | 7% below national |
| 318 | Florence, SC | $55,340 | 7% below national |
| 319 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $55,320 | 7% below national |
| 320 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $55,270 | 7% below national |
| 321 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $55,270 | 7% below national |
| 322 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $55,220 | 7% below national |
| 323 | Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area | $55,120 | 7% below national |
| 324 | Pittsfield, MA | $55,100 | 7% below national |
| 325 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $55,060 | 7% below national |
| 326 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $55,060 | 7% below national |
| 327 | Terre Haute, IN | $55,050 | 7% below national |
| 328 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $54,820 | 8% below national |
| 329 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $54,760 | 8% below national |
| 330 | Gainesville, GA | $54,670 | 8% below national |
| 331 | Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $54,660 | 8% below national |
| 332 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $54,630 | 8% below national |
| 333 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,450 | 8% below national |
| 334 | North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $54,440 | 8% below national |
| 335 | Pittsburgh, PA | $54,290 | 9% below national |
| 336 | Central Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $54,250 | 9% below national |
| 337 | Southwestern New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area | $54,250 | 9% below national |
| 338 | West Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $54,070 | 9% below national |
| 339 | Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $54,060 | 9% below national |
| 340 | Birmingham, AL | $53,990 | 9% below national |
| 341 | Waco, TX | $53,920 | 9% below national |
| 342 | Jackson, MI | $53,820 | 9% below national |
| 343 | Ocala, FL | $53,820 | 9% below national |
| 344 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $53,760 | 9% below national |
| 345 | Rockford, IL | $53,670 | 10% below national |
| 346 | Mansfield, OH | $53,650 | 10% below national |
| 347 | North Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $53,630 | 10% below national |
| 348 | State College, PA | $53,540 | 10% below national |
| 349 | Salisbury, MD | $53,480 | 10% below national |
| 350 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $53,420 | 10% below national |
| 351 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $53,260 | 10% below national |
| 352 | Southern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $53,190 | 10% below national |
| 353 | Southwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $53,130 | 10% below national |
| 354 | Asheville, NC | $53,090 | 11% below national |
| 355 | Joplin, MO-KS | $52,800 | 11% below national |
| 356 | Bloomington, IN | $52,710 | 11% below national |
| 357 | East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $52,630 | 11% below national |
| 358 | Jacksonville, NC | $52,620 | 11% below national |
| 359 | Lower West Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $52,490 | 12% below national |
| 360 | East Central Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $52,320 | 12% below national |
| 361 | Southwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area | $52,300 | 12% below national |
| 362 | Wheeling, WV-OH | $52,270 | 12% below national |
| 363 | Northwestern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $52,180 | 12% below national |
| 364 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,100 | 12% below national |
| 365 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $52,060 | 12% below national |
| 366 | Rocky Mount, NC | $52,060 | 12% below national |
| 367 | Southern Ohio nonmetropolitan area | $52,060 | 12% below national |
| 368 | Roanoke, VA | $52,040 | 12% below national |
| 369 | East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $52,020 | 12% below national |
| 370 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 12% below national |
| 371 | Rome, GA | $51,990 | 12% below national |
| 372 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $51,910 | 13% below national |
| 373 | Northwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $51,800 | 13% below national |
| 374 | Northwest Oklahoma nonmetropolitan area | $51,790 | 13% below national |
| 375 | Owensboro, KY | $51,770 | 13% below national |
| 376 | Decatur, IL | $51,740 | 13% below national |
| 377 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $51,740 | 13% below national |
| 378 | Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $51,700 | 13% below national |
| 379 | Morgantown, WV | $51,680 | 13% below national |
| 380 | Beckley, WV | $51,660 | 13% below national |
| 381 | Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $51,640 | 13% below national |
| 382 | Savannah, GA | $51,620 | 13% below national |
| 383 | North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $51,580 | 13% below national |
| 384 | South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $51,540 | 13% below national |
| 385 | Sussex Delaware nonmetropolitan area | $51,530 | 13% below national |
| 386 | Northeastern South Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $51,490 | 13% below national |
| 387 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $51,470 | 13% below national |
| 388 | York-Hanover, PA | $51,470 | 13% below national |
| 389 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $51,410 | 13% below national |
| 390 | Gettysburg, PA | $51,330 | 14% below national |
| 391 | Gainesville, FL | $51,280 | 14% below national |
| 392 | Warner Robins, GA | $51,280 | 14% below national |
| 393 | Northwest Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $51,230 | 14% below national |
| 394 | Duluth, MN-WI | $51,170 | 14% below national |
| 395 | St. Joseph, MO-KS | $51,070 | 14% below national |
| 396 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $51,060 | 14% below national |
| 397 | Morristown, TN | $50,990 | 14% below national |
| 398 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $50,970 | 14% below national |
| 399 | Utica-Rome, NY | $50,890 | 14% below national |
| 400 | Northwestern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $50,830 | 14% below national |
| 401 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $50,810 | 14% below national |
| 402 | Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $50,690 | 15% below national |
| 403 | Odessa, TX | $50,680 | 15% below national |
| 404 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL | $50,580 | 15% below national |
| 405 | Winchester, VA-WV | $50,580 | 15% below national |
| 406 | Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $50,560 | 15% below national |
| 407 | Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $50,500 | 15% below national |
| 408 | Burlington, NC | $50,440 | 15% below national |
| 409 | Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $50,370 | 15% below national |
| 410 | Valdosta, GA | $50,360 | 15% below national |
| 411 | Midland, TX | $50,330 | 15% below national |
| 412 | Southwest New York nonmetropolitan area | $50,280 | 15% below national |
| 413 | North Northeastern Ohio nonmetropolitan area (noncontiguous) | $50,280 | 15% below national |
| 414 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $50,260 | 15% below national |
| 415 | Corpus Christi, TX | $50,250 | 15% below national |
| 416 | Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $50,190 | 15% below national |
| 417 | Tyler, TX | $50,160 | 15% below national |
| 418 | West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $50,080 | 16% below national |
| 419 | South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $50,080 | 16% below national |
| 420 | Dalton, GA | $50,050 | 16% below national |
| 421 | Goldsboro, NC | $49,990 | 16% below national |
| 422 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $49,910 | 16% below national |
| 423 | Erie, PA | $49,820 | 16% below national |
| 424 | Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $49,630 | 16% below national |
| 425 | Chambersburg, PA | $49,570 | 16% below national |
| 426 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $49,560 | 16% below national |
| 427 | Wildwood-The Villages, FL | $49,500 | 17% below national |
| 428 | Decatur, AL | $49,360 | 17% below national |
| 429 | Columbus, IN | $49,240 | 17% below national |
| 430 | Southwest Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $49,230 | 17% below national |
| 431 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $49,220 | 17% below national |
| 432 | Elmira, NY | $49,210 | 17% below national |
| 433 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $49,180 | 17% below national |
| 434 | Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $49,120 | 17% below national |
| 435 | Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $49,120 | 17% below national |
| 436 | Border Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $49,080 | 17% below national |
| 437 | Lancaster, PA | $49,060 | 17% below national |
| 438 | Sumter, SC | $49,030 | 17% below national |
| 439 | Wilmington, NC | $48,970 | 17% below national |
| 440 | Charleston, WV | $48,960 | 18% below national |
| 441 | Knoxville, TN | $48,910 | 18% below national |
| 442 | Northern Indiana nonmetropolitan area | $48,820 | 18% below national |
| 443 | Muncie, IN | $48,800 | 18% below national |
| 444 | Abilene, TX | $48,580 | 18% below national |
| 445 | Dothan, AL | $48,580 | 18% below national |
| 446 | Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $48,570 | 18% below national |
| 447 | Johnstown, PA | $48,560 | 18% below national |
| 448 | Huntsville, AL | $48,530 | 18% below national |
| 449 | East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $48,510 | 18% below national |
| 450 | Evansville, IN | $48,490 | 18% below national |
| 451 | Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $48,490 | 18% below national |
| 452 | East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $48,440 | 18% below national |
| 453 | Northeastern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $48,430 | 18% below national |
| 454 | South Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $48,370 | 19% below national |
| 455 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY | $48,310 | 19% below national |
| 456 | West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $48,260 | 19% below national |
| 457 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $48,220 | 19% below national |
| 458 | Hot Springs, AR | $48,220 | 19% below national |
| 459 | Springfield, MO | $48,120 | 19% below national |
| 460 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA | $48,100 | 19% below national |
| 461 | Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 19% below national |
| 462 | Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 19% below national |
| 463 | Central Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $48,040 | 19% below national |
| 464 | Fayetteville, NC | $47,980 | 19% below national |
| 465 | Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $47,920 | 19% below national |
| 466 | Albany, GA | $47,820 | 19% below national |
| 467 | Eastern North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $47,730 | 20% below national |
| 468 | Rapid City, SD | $47,620 | 20% below national |
| 469 | Winston-Salem, NC | $47,620 | 20% below national |
| 470 | Jefferson City, MO | $47,480 | 20% below national |
| 471 | Jackson, MS | $47,380 | 20% below national |
| 472 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $47,230 | 20% below national |
| 473 | Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area | $47,030 | 21% below national |
| 474 | Johnson City, TN | $46,980 | 21% below national |
| 475 | Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,900 | 21% below national |
| 476 | Baton Rouge, LA | $46,840 | 21% below national |
| 477 | Victoria, TX | $46,820 | 21% below national |
| 478 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $46,810 | 21% below national |
| 479 | Anniston-Oxford, AL | $46,690 | 21% below national |
| 480 | Central North Carolina nonmetropolitan area | $46,610 | 21% below national |
| 481 | Montgomery, AL | $46,580 | 22% below national |
| 482 | East Kentucky nonmetropolitan area | $46,580 | 22% below national |
| 483 | Sebring, FL | $46,550 | 22% below national |
| 484 | Jackson, TN | $46,520 | 22% below national |
| 485 | Homosassa Springs, FL | $46,480 | 22% below national |
| 486 | Lubbock, TX | $46,390 | 22% below national |
| 487 | Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $46,380 | 22% below national |
| 488 | Williamsport, PA | $46,380 | 22% below national |
| 489 | Auburn-Opelika, AL | $46,310 | 22% below national |
| 490 | Altoona, PA | $46,260 | 22% below national |
| 491 | Upper East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $46,040 | 22% below national |
| 492 | South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $46,010 | 22% below national |
| 493 | Mobile, AL | $45,740 | 23% below national |
| 494 | Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $45,670 | 23% below national |
| 495 | Lawton, OK | $45,660 | 23% below national |
| 496 | North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area | $45,660 | 23% below national |
| 497 | Monroe, LA | $45,310 | 24% below national |
| 498 | Central Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area | $45,270 | 24% below national |
| 499 | Longview, TX | $44,990 | 24% below national |
| 500 | Cleveland, TN | $44,820 | 24% below national |
| 501 | Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $44,610 | 25% below national |
| 502 | Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $44,460 | 25% below national |
| 503 | Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $44,460 | 25% below national |
| 504 | Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $44,250 | 25% below national |
| 505 | West Delta Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $44,240 | 25% below national |
| 506 | Clarksville, TN-KY | $43,970 | 26% below national |
| 507 | Spartanburg, SC | $43,810 | 26% below national |
| 508 | Manhattan, KS | $42,200 | 29% below national |
| 509 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $42,140 | 29% below national |
| 510 | Gadsden, AL | $41,690 | 30% below national |
| 511 | Lake Charles, LA | $38,610 | 35% below national |
| 512 | Hattiesburg, MS | $38,300 | 35% below national |
| 513 | Lafayette, LA | $37,660 | 37% below national |
| 514 | Bay City, MI | $37,620 | 37% below national |
| 515 | Alexandria, LA | $37,150 | 37% below national |
| 516 | Hammond, LA | $36,750 | 38% below national |
| 517 | Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux, LA | $36,520 | 38% below national |
| 518 | Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $36,350 | 39% below national |
| 519 | Lower East Mississippi nonmetropolitan area | $36,330 | 39% below national |
| 520 | Slidell-Mandeville-Covington, LA | $34,470 | 42% below national |
| 521 | Northeast Louisiana nonmetropolitan area | $32,580 | 45% below national |
Similar Occupations in the Same Category
Other roles in SOC major group 21 (community and social service) with comparable pay and career paths.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make? ▼
The median annual salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $59,350 ($28.53/hour). The salary range spans from $38,940 at the 10th percentile to $97,590 at the 90th percentile.
What state pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors the most? ▼
Alaska pays the highest median salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $80,770/year, which is +36% above the national median.
What education do you need to become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors? ▼
The typical entry-level education for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is Master's degree. On-the-job training: Internship/residency.
How dangerous is being a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors? ▼
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors has a safety grade of A (Very Safe) based on BLS data. The fatality rate is 0.3 per 100,000 workers and the injury rate is 0.5 per 100 workers.
Is Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors a good career? ▼
Employment for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is projected to grow 16.8% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average. About 48,300 openings are projected each year.
How does Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay vary by state? ▼
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,770/year, while West Virginia pays the least at $49,430/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors? ▼
The highest-paying metro area for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is Fairbanks-College, AK at $83,680/year. BLS reports wage data for 521 metro areas for this occupation, with pay varying based on local demand and cost of living.
What to do with this data
How to use Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay figures in a real decision
- For an experienced offer, anchor on the 75th percentile (about $76,530/year), not the median. The median marks the middle worker; the upper quartile is the realistic target with strong experience. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: Alaska leads at $80,770/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Every figure on WageDex is rendered directly from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, no number is typed in by an editor. This occupation's figures are computed directly from the BLS OEWS and Employment Projections datasets, nothing is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of May 2025.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.