Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Missouri
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Missouri earned a median of $56,910 a year ($27.36 an hour) and a mean of $60,670 in May 2025. The median is 4.1% below the U.S. median of $59,350, ranking 36th of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $56,910
- Median hourly
- $27.36
- Mean annual
- $60,670
- Jobs on record
- 8,130
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 Missouri compare on pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
Missouri ranks 36th of 52 states and territories. Alaska is highest at $80,770, $23,860 more than the Missouri median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 34 | $58,360 | -2% | 18,020 |
| Nevada | 35 | $57,210 | -4% | 1,810 |
| Missouri | 36 | $56,910 | -4% | 8,130 |
| Florida | 37 | $56,790 | -4% | 29,750 |
| Delaware | 38 | $56,020 | -6% | 1,700 |
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 Missouri pay go further after prices?
Prices in Missouri run 9.2% below the U.S. average, so the $56,910 median buys about what $62,664 buys at average U.S. prices, above the $59,350 U.S. median. On this measure Missouri ranks 20th of 51, up from 36th 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 Missouri pay substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
North Missouri nonmetropolitan area is highest at $65,240, 14.6% above the Missouri median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| North Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $65,240 | 360 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $60,690 | 2,470 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $58,570 | 3,330 |
| Columbia, MO | $57,010 | 350 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $52,800 | 300 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $51,070 | 130 |
| Central Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $50,190 | 730 |
| Southeast Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $49,120 | 460 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $48,570 | 240 |
| Springfield, MO | $48,120 | 810 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $47,480 | 160 |
| Southwest Missouri nonmetropolitan area | $45,670 | 180 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in Missouri 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 Missouri?
BLS counts 8,130 jobs in Missouri, 1.7% of the 491,930 in the U.S. That is the 22nd largest count among the 51 states and territories with a published figure. That is 2.8 of every 1,000 jobs in Missouri, a location quotient of 0.87: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.87 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 Missouri 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 Missouri was $18.10 in May 2025, $3.10 above the $15.00 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 Missouri
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.