Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Arkansas
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Arkansas earned a median of $51,580 a year ($24.80 an hour) and a mean of $58,480 in May 2025. The median is 13.1% below the U.S. median of $59,350, ranking 46th of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $51,580
- Median hourly
- $24.80
- Mean annual
- $58,480
- Jobs on record
- 2,570
Grey needle: U.S. median, $59,350 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, state file, May 2025. Wage and salary jobs only; the self-employed are not counted. OEWS pay excludes overtime, shift differentials and non-production bonuses. Confirm any figure on bls.gov/oes. Latest BLS release: May 2025, published May 15, 2026; checked November 10, 2026.
How does Arkansas compare on pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
Arkansas ranks 46th of 52 states and territories. Alaska is highest at $80,770, $29,190 more than the Arkansas median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 44 | $52,370 | -12% | 6,300 |
| Pennsylvania | 45 | $52,010 | -12% | 30,620 |
| Arkansas | 46 | $51,580 | -13% | 2,570 |
| Tennessee | 47 | $49,580 | -16% | 9,040 |
| West Virginia | 48 | $49,430 | -17% | 2,100 |
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025. Rank 1 is the highest median among 52 states and territories with a published figure. See every state.
Does Arkansas pay go further after prices?
Prices in Arkansas run 13.1% below the U.S. average, so the $51,580 median buys about what $59,330 buys at average U.S. prices, below the $59,350 U.S. median. On this measure Arkansas ranks 30th of 51, up from 46th before the adjustment.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024. The adjustment divides pay by the state's price level.
Which areas in Arkansas pay substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Fort Smith, AR-OK is highest at $57,340, 11.2% above the Arkansas median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $57,340 | 210 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $56,930 | 210 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $54,450 | 710 |
| North Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $51,580 | 170 |
| South Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $50,080 | 250 |
| West Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $50,080 | 210 |
| East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area | $48,440 | 230 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $48,220 | 330 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $48,220 | 80 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Arkansas is shown; an area that crosses state lines is listed under the first state in its BLS title.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in Arkansas?
BLS counts 2,570 jobs in Arkansas, 0.52% of the 491,930 in the U.S. That is the 34th largest count among the 51 states and territories with a published figure. That is 2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in Arkansas, a location quotient of 0.62: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.62 times its national share, so it is less concentrated here than in the U.S. as a whole.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025 and national file.
Related jobs in Arkansas
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.