Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in District of Columbia
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in District of Columbia was $60,450 +1.9% vs national
District of Columbia vs United States
| District of Columbia | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $60,450 | $59,350 |
| Median hourly | $29.06 | $28.53 |
| Employment | 1,260 | 491,930 |
| Location quotient | 0.57 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (District of Columbia) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $43,060, median pay is $60,450, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $107,980.
The mean wage of $69,180 sits 14.4% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in District of Columbia?
The median annual wage in District of Columbia is $60,450 ($29.06 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does District of Columbia compare to the national average for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
The District of Columbia median of $60,450 is 1.9% higher than the U.S. median of $59,350.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in District of Columbia?
Approximately 1,260 are employed in District of Columbia, per BLS OES.