Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in West Virginia
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in West Virginia earned a median of $49,430 a year ($23.76 an hour) and a mean of $53,820 in May 2025. The median is 16.7% below the U.S. median of $59,350, ranking 48th of 52 states and territories, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- Median annual
- $49,430
- Median hourly
- $23.76
- Mean annual
- $53,820
- Jobs on record
- 2,100
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 West Virginia compare on pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
West Virginia ranks 48th of 52 states and territories. Alaska is highest at $80,770, $31,340 more than the West Virginia median.
| State | Rank | Median | Against U.S. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 46 | $51,580 | -13% | 2,570 |
| Tennessee | 47 | $49,580 | -16% | 9,040 |
| West Virginia | 48 | $49,430 | -17% | 2,100 |
| Alabama | 49 | $47,310 | -20% | not published |
| Mississippi | 50 | $46,990 | -21% | 2,090 |
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 West Virginia pay go further after prices?
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the U.S. average, so the $49,430 median buys about what $55,231 buys at average U.S. prices, below the $59,350 U.S. median. On this measure West Virginia ranks 40th of 51, up from 48th 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 West Virginia pay substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH is highest at $54,060, 9.4% above the West Virginia median.
| Area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Weirton-Steubenville, WV-OH | $54,060 | 60 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $52,270 | 200 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $52,000 | 860 |
| Morgantown, WV | $51,680 | 190 |
| Beckley, WV | $51,660 | 150 |
| Charleston, WV | $48,960 | 330 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna, WV | $48,490 | 160 |
| Northern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 330 |
| Southern West Virginia nonmetropolitan area | $48,080 | 230 |
Source: BLS OEWS metropolitan and nonmetropolitan area file, May 2025. Every area BLS lists for this job in West Virginia 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 West Virginia?
BLS counts 2,100 jobs in West Virginia, 0.43% of the 491,930 in the U.S. That is the 39th largest count among the 51 states and territories with a published figure. That is 3.0 of every 1,000 jobs in West Virginia, a location quotient of 0.95: the occupation's share of local jobs is 0.95 times its national share, so it is about as concentrated here as in the U.S. as a whole.
Source: BLS OEWS state file, May 2025 and national file.
Related jobs in West Virginia
Related occupations from O*NET; pay from BLS OEWS state file, May 2025.