Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Georgia
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Georgia earned a median of $58,960 a year ($28.35 an hour) and a mean of $61,310 in May 2025. The median is 0.7% below the U.S. median of $59,350, ranking 32nd of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $58,960
- Median hourly
- $28.35
- Mean annual
- $61,310
- Jobs on record
- 9,600
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 Georgia compare on pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
Georgia ranks 32nd of 52 states and territories. Alaska is highest at $80,770, $21,810 more than the Georgia median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 30 | $59,250 | -0% | 75,610 |
| Montana | 31 | $59,000 | -1% | 1,820 |
| Georgia | 32 | $58,960 | -1% | 9,600 |
| Minnesota | 33 | $58,780 | -1% | 7,110 |
| Ohio | 34 | $58,360 | -2% | 18,020 |
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 Georgia pay go further after prices?
Prices in Georgia run 3.7% below the U.S. average, so the $58,960 median buys about what $61,230 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $59,350 U.S. median. On this measure Georgia ranks 24th of 51, up from 32nd 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 Georgia pay substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is highest at $60,880, 3.3% above the Georgia median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $60,880 | 5,880 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $58,980 | 70 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $56,870 | 160 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $55,910 | 310 |
| Hinesville, GA | $55,540 | 70 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $55,320 | 510 |
| Gainesville, GA | $54,670 | 70 |
| North Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $54,440 | 220 |
| East Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $52,630 | 160 |
| Rome, GA | $51,990 | 80 |
| Middle Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $51,640 | 390 |
| Savannah, GA | $51,620 | 460 |
| South Georgia nonmetropolitan area | $51,540 | 280 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $51,280 | 110 |
| Valdosta, GA | $50,360 | 160 |
| Dalton, GA | $50,050 | 50 |
| Albany, GA | $47,820 | 40 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $46,900 | 120 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Georgia 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 Georgia?
BLS counts 9,600 jobs in Georgia, 2.0% of the 491,930 in the U.S. That is the 18th largest count among the 51 states and territories with a published figure. That is 2.0 of every 1,000 jobs in Georgia, 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 Georgia
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.