Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the United States was $59,350 ($28.53 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,940 | $18.72 |
| 25th | $47,100 | $22.65 |
| Median | $59,350 | $28.53 |
| 75th | $76,530 | $36.80 |
| 90th | $97,590 | $46.92 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 21-1018
- Total U.S. employment: 491,930
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
Reading the data
Across the United States, 491,930 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are employed (— per 1,000 jobs), making this one of the larger occupations in the national economy.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $47,310 | $22.74 | -20.3% | 0 |
| Alaska | $80,770 | $38.83 | +36.1% | 1,290 |
| Arizona | $65,300 | $31.39 | +10.0% | 9,990 |
| Arkansas | $51,580 | $24.80 | -13.1% | 2,570 |
| California | $59,250 | $28.48 | -0.2% | 75,610 |
| Colorado | $62,390 | $30.00 | +5.1% | 14,920 |
| Connecticut | $63,590 | $30.57 | +7.1% | 7,540 |
| Delaware | $56,020 | $26.93 | -5.6% | 1,700 |
| District of Columbia | $60,450 | $29.06 | +1.9% | 1,260 |
| Florida | $56,790 | $27.30 | -4.3% | 29,750 |
| Georgia | $58,960 | $28.35 | -0.7% | 9,600 |
| Hawaii | $60,090 | $28.89 | +1.2% | 2,110 |
| Idaho | $63,360 | $30.46 | +6.8% | 2,990 |
| Illinois | $60,730 | $29.20 | +2.3% | 20,250 |
| Indiana | $53,760 | $25.85 | -9.4% | 11,890 |
| Iowa | $60,880 | $29.27 | +2.6% | 3,530 |
| Kansas | $59,470 | $28.59 | +0.2% | 2,600 |
| Kentucky | $54,190 | $26.05 | -8.7% | 7,690 |
| Louisiana | $37,910 | $18.22 | -36.1% | 6,420 |
| Maine | $59,970 | $28.83 | +1.0% | 1,930 |
| Maryland | $59,530 | $28.62 | +0.3% | 9,730 |
| Massachusetts | $59,890 | $28.80 | +0.9% | 18,190 |
| Michigan | $61,690 | $29.66 | +3.9% | 10,100 |
| Minnesota | $58,780 | $28.26 | -1.0% | 7,110 |
| Mississippi | $46,990 | $22.59 | -20.8% | 2,090 |
| Missouri | $56,910 | $27.36 | -4.1% | 8,130 |
| Montana | $59,000 | $28.36 | -0.6% | 1,820 |
| Nebraska | $63,770 | $30.66 | +7.4% | 2,170 |
| Nevada | $57,210 | $27.51 | -3.6% | 1,810 |
| New Hampshire | $54,840 | $26.36 | -7.6% | 3,690 |
| New Jersey | $62,820 | $30.20 | +5.8% | 14,210 |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | $35.63 | +24.9% | 2,420 |
| New York | $59,450 | $28.58 | +0.2% | 26,770 |
| North Carolina | $55,490 | $26.68 | -6.5% | 10,300 |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | $33.00 | +15.6% | 1,290 |
| Ohio | $58,360 | $28.06 | -1.7% | 18,020 |
| Oklahoma | $59,350 | $28.53 | 0.0% | 5,150 |
| Oregon | $74,590 | $35.86 | +25.7% | 8,160 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,010 | $25.01 | -12.4% | 30,620 |
| Rhode Island | $65,120 | $31.31 | +9.7% | 2,170 |
| South Carolina | $52,370 | $25.18 | -11.8% | 6,300 |
| South Dakota | $53,650 | $25.79 | -9.6% | 1,710 |
| Tennessee | $49,580 | $23.84 | -16.5% | 9,040 |
| Texas | $62,630 | $30.11 | +5.5% | 21,400 |
| Utah | $63,890 | $30.72 | +7.6% | 6,320 |
| Vermont | $61,810 | $29.72 | +4.1% | 1,120 |
| Virginia | $59,880 | $28.79 | +0.9% | 17,940 |
| Washington | $68,910 | $33.13 | +16.1% | 14,250 |
| West Virginia | $49,430 | $23.76 | -16.7% | 2,100 |
| Wisconsin | $62,220 | $29.91 | +4.8% | 8,340 |
| Wyoming | $62,980 | $30.28 | +6.1% | 910 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors — $62,890/yr
- Managers, All Other — $141,900/yr
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education — $64,370/yr
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers — $79,860/yr
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers — $48,570/yr
- Medical and Health Services Managers — $123,860/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $59,350 ($28.53 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 491,930 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $28.53. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.