Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Michigan
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Michigan earned a median of $61,690 a year ($29.66 an hour) and a mean of $65,430 in May 2025. The median is 3.9% above the U.S. median of $59,350, ranking 18th of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $61,690
- Median hourly
- $29.66
- Mean annual
- $65,430
- Jobs on record
- 10,100
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 Michigan compare on pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
Michigan ranks 18th of 52 states and territories. Alaska is highest at $80,770, $19,080 more than the Michigan median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin | 16 | $62,220 | +5% | 8,340 |
| Vermont | 17 | $61,810 | +4% | 1,120 |
| Michigan | 18 | $61,690 | +4% | 10,100 |
| Iowa | 19 | $60,880 | +3% | 3,530 |
| Illinois | 20 | $60,730 | +2% | 20,250 |
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 Michigan pay go further after prices?
Prices in Michigan run 3.8% below the U.S. average, so the $61,690 median buys about what $64,115 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $59,350 U.S. median. On this measure Michigan ranks 16th of 51, up from 18th 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 Michigan pay substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Midland, MI is highest at $73,450, 19.1% above the Michigan median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Midland, MI | $73,450 | 130 |
| Niles, MI | $73,200 | 80 |
| Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI | $69,090 | 170 |
| Battle Creek, MI | $68,370 | 140 |
| Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $67,510 | 790 |
| Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $66,750 | 370 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $65,440 | 320 |
| Southern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $64,610 | 210 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $64,100 | 1,130 |
| Northern Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $63,950 | 330 |
| Mid Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $62,710 | 290 |
| Traverse City, MI | $61,990 | 130 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $60,890 | 4,290 |
| Monroe, MI | $60,170 | 110 |
| Upper Peninsula of Michigan nonmetropolitan area | $59,800 | 250 |
| Flint, MI | $58,250 | 360 |
| Saginaw, MI | $55,960 | 370 |
| Jackson, MI | $53,820 | 70 |
| Bay City, MI | $37,620 | 350 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Michigan 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 Michigan?
BLS counts 10,100 jobs in Michigan, 2.1% of the 491,930 in the U.S. That is the 15th largest count among the 51 states and territories with a published figure. That is 2.3 of every 1,000 jobs in Michigan, a location quotient of 0.72: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.72 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.
How does the Michigan minimum wage compare with pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
The 10th-percentile hourly pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Michigan was $18.51 in May 2025, $4.78 above the $13.73 minimum wage that applies there now. The pay figure dates from May 2025 and the minimum wage is the current rate, so the two are not from the same date.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, State Minimum Wage Laws, updated 2026-11-05; BLS OEWS state file, May 2025, 10th-percentile hourly wage.
Related jobs in Michigan
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.