How much does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor make?
The median substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor in the United States earns $59,350 per year, about $28.53 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. SOC code 21-1018.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor salary range
Pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $38,940 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $97,590. The average (mean) wage of $64,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,940 | $18.72 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.65 | |
| Median (50th) | $59,350 | $28.53 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $76,530 | $36.80 | |
| 90th percentile | $97,590 | $46.92 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn the most in Alaska at $80,770 a year, and the least in Louisiana at $37,910. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,770 | 1,290 |
| Oregon | $74,590 | 8,160 |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | 2,420 |
| Washington | $68,910 | 14,250 |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | 1,290 |
| Arizona | $65,300 | 9,990 |
| Rhode Island | $65,120 | 2,170 |
| Utah | $63,890 | 6,320 |
| Nebraska | $63,770 | 2,170 |
| Connecticut | $63,590 | 7,540 |
| Idaho | $63,360 | 2,990 |
| Wyoming | $62,980 | 910 |
| New Jersey | $62,820 | 14,210 |
| Texas | $62,630 | 21,400 |
| Colorado | $62,390 | 14,920 |
| Wisconsin | $62,220 | 8,340 |
| Vermont | $61,810 | 1,120 |
| Michigan | $61,690 | 10,100 |
| Iowa | $60,880 | 3,530 |
| Illinois | $60,730 | 20,250 |
| District of Columbia | $60,450 | 1,260 |
| Hawaii | $60,090 | 2,110 |
| Maine | $59,970 | 1,930 |
| Massachusetts | $59,890 | 18,190 |
| Virginia | $59,880 | 17,940 |
| Maryland | $59,530 | 9,730 |
| Kansas | $59,470 | 2,600 |
| New York | $59,450 | 26,770 |
| Oklahoma | $59,350 | 5,150 |
| California | $59,250 | 75,610 |
| Montana | $59,000 | 1,820 |
| Georgia | $58,960 | 9,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,780 | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $58,360 | 18,020 |
| Nevada | $57,210 | 1,810 |
| Missouri | $56,910 | 8,130 |
| Florida | $56,790 | 29,750 |
| Delaware | $56,020 | 1,700 |
| North Carolina | $55,490 | 10,300 |
| New Hampshire | $54,840 | 3,690 |
| Kentucky | $54,190 | 7,690 |
| Indiana | $53,760 | 11,890 |
| South Dakota | $53,650 | 1,710 |
| South Carolina | $52,370 | 6,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,010 | 30,620 |
| Arkansas | $51,580 | 2,570 |
| Tennessee | $49,580 | 9,040 |
| West Virginia | $49,430 | 2,100 |
| Alabama | $47,310 | N/A |
| Mississippi | $46,990 | 2,090 |
| Louisiana | $37,910 | 6,420 |
State median wages for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2025. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
The BLS projects employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035. That is much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 533,400 jobs in 2025 moving toward 631,400 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 50,500 openings a year for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor
The typical entry-level education for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Alaska, $80,770) and the lowest (Louisiana, $37,910) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 491,930 people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the United States. At $59,350 a year, the job pays above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor salary FAQ
How much does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor is $28.53. The middle half of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn between $22.65 and $36.80 per hour.
What is the highest substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn more than $97,590 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor make a year?
The median annual salary for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor is $59,350. The average (mean) wage of $64,440 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor a well paid job?
At $59,350 a year, a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor earns above the $50,980 median for all U.S. jobs. About 491,930 people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the United States.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Alaska has the highest median salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors at $80,770 a year. Oregon ($74,590) and New Mexico ($74,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2025.
Is being a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor a good career?
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 50,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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