Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn a median of $59,350 a year ($28.53/hr) in the U.S. – from $37,910 in Louisiana to $80,770 in Alaska. Enter your pay below to see how you compare.
Median pay, United States$28.53/hr · $59,350 a year
Pay range
90% earn more$38,940$18.72/hr
75% earn more$47,100$22.65/hr
half earn more, half less$59,350$28.53/hr
25% earn more$76,530$36.80/hr
top 10% earn more$97,590$46.92/hr
pulled up by top earners$64,440$30.98/hr
How does my pay compare?
Enter your pay to see where you stand among substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Nothing you type leaves your device.
Pay by state
States ranked by median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Tap a state for its minimum wage.
1,290 jobs · $38.83/hr$80,770
8,160 jobs · $35.86/hr$74,590
2,420 jobs · $35.63/hr$74,100
14,250 jobs · $33.13/hr$68,910
1,290 jobs · $33.00/hr$68,630
9,990 jobs · $31.39/hr$65,300
2,170 jobs · $31.31/hr$65,120
6,320 jobs · $30.72/hr$63,890
2,170 jobs · $30.66/hr$63,770
7,540 jobs · $30.57/hr$63,590
2,990 jobs · $30.46/hr$63,360
910 jobs · $30.28/hr$62,980
14,210 jobs · $30.20/hr$62,820
21,400 jobs · $30.11/hr$62,630
14,920 jobs · $30.00/hr$62,390
8,340 jobs · $29.91/hr$62,220
1,120 jobs · $29.72/hr$61,810
10,100 jobs · $29.66/hr$61,690
3,530 jobs · $29.27/hr$60,880
20,250 jobs · $29.20/hr$60,730
1,260 jobs · $29.06/hr$60,450
2,110 jobs · $28.89/hr$60,090
1,930 jobs · $28.83/hr$59,970
18,190 jobs · $28.80/hr$59,890
17,940 jobs · $28.79/hr$59,880
9,730 jobs · $28.62/hr$59,530
2,600 jobs · $28.59/hr$59,470
26,770 jobs · $28.58/hr$59,450
5,150 jobs · $28.53/hr$59,350
75,610 jobs · $28.48/hr$59,250
1,820 jobs · $28.36/hr$59,000
9,600 jobs · $28.35/hr$58,960
7,110 jobs · $28.26/hr$58,780
18,020 jobs · $28.06/hr$58,360
1,810 jobs · $27.51/hr$57,210
8,130 jobs · $27.36/hr$56,910
29,750 jobs · $27.30/hr$56,790
1,700 jobs · $26.93/hr$56,020
10,300 jobs · $26.68/hr$55,490
3,690 jobs · $26.36/hr$54,840
7,690 jobs · $26.05/hr$54,190
11,890 jobs · $25.85/hr$53,760
1,710 jobs · $25.79/hr$53,650
6,300 jobs · $25.18/hr$52,370
30,620 jobs · $25.01/hr$52,010
2,570 jobs · $24.80/hr$51,580
9,040 jobs · $23.84/hr$49,580
2,100 jobs · $23.76/hr$49,430
jobs n/a · $22.74/hr$47,310
2,090 jobs · $22.59/hr$46,990
100 jobs · $22.49/hr$46,790
6,420 jobs · $18.22/hr$37,910
Related jobs
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), SOC code 21-1018. Wages exclude the self-employed. All jobs · Minimum wage by state
Questions & answers
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make?
The median wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the U.S. was $28.53 an hour or $59,350 a year in May 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The middle half earned between $47,100 and $76,530 a year.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors: $80,770 a year. The lowest published median is in Louisiana at $37,910. Living costs also differ a lot between states.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are there?
BLS estimates 491,930 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors were employed in the U.S. in May 2025, not counting the self-employed.
What is the difference between median and average pay?
The median is the middle wage: half of workers earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) adds everyone up and divides, so a few very high earners pull it up. The median is usually the better guide to typical pay.
What does the 10th or 90th percentile mean?
The 10th percentile is the wage that only 10% of workers earn less than – often entry-level pay. The 90th percentile is the wage that only 10% earn more than – usually the most experienced or highest-paid workers.