Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in the United States
Median annual wage: $59,350 · Median hourly: $28.53 · Employment: 491,930
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, May 2024 (updated April 2025)
Related Occupations
- General and Operations Managers — $105,770/yr
- Registered Nurses — $97,550/yr
- Cashiers — $32,880/yr
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand — $40,240/yr
- Stockers and Order Fillers — $37,330/yr
- Customer Service Representatives — $44,770/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 2024.
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.