Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in the United States
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $59,350, or $28.53 per hour. About 491,930 people work in this occupation nationwide. Wages vary substantially by state — from $80,770 in Alaska to $37,910 in Louisiana.
Wage distribution nationwide
Earnings spread across all U.S. workers in this occupation.
Salary by state
All 51 states with published data, ranked by median annual wage.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $80,770 | $38.83 | 1,290 | 1.26 |
| 2 | Oregon | $74,590 | $35.86 | 8,160 | 1.31 |
| 3 | New Mexico | $74,100 | $35.63 | 2,420 | 0.88 |
| 4 | Washington | $68,910 | $33.13 | 14,250 | 1.27 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $68,630 | $33.00 | 1,290 | 0.95 |
| 6 | Arizona | $65,300 | $31.39 | 9,990 | 0.97 |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $65,120 | $31.31 | 2,170 | 1.37 |
| 8 | Utah | $63,890 | $30.72 | 6,320 | 1.15 |
| 9 | Nebraska | $63,770 | $30.66 | 2,170 | 0.67 |
| 10 | Connecticut | $63,590 | $30.57 | 7,540 | 1.41 |
| 11 | Idaho | $63,360 | $30.46 | 2,990 | 1.10 |
| 12 | Wyoming | $62,980 | $30.28 | 910 | 1.03 |
| 13 | New Jersey | $62,820 | $30.20 | 14,210 | 1.05 |
| 14 | Texas | $62,630 | $30.11 | 21,400 | 0.48 |
| 15 | Colorado | $62,390 | $30.00 | 14,920 | 1.64 |
| 16 | Wisconsin | $62,220 | $29.91 | 8,340 | 0.90 |
| 17 | Vermont | $61,810 | $29.72 | 1,120 | 1.17 |
| 18 | Michigan | $61,690 | $29.66 | 10,100 | 0.72 |
| 19 | Iowa | $60,880 | $29.27 | 3,530 | 0.72 |
| 20 | Illinois | $60,730 | $29.20 | 20,250 | 1.05 |
| 21 | District of Columbia | $60,450 | $29.06 | 1,260 | 0.57 |
| 22 | Hawaii | $60,090 | $28.89 | 2,110 | 1.06 |
| 23 | Maine | $59,970 | $28.83 | 1,930 | 0.95 |
| 24 | Massachusetts | $59,890 | $28.80 | 18,190 | 1.58 |
| 25 | Virginia | $59,880 | $28.79 | 17,940 | 1.38 |
| 26 | Maryland | $59,530 | $28.62 | 9,730 | 1.11 |
| 27 | Kansas | $59,470 | $28.59 | 2,600 | 0.57 |
| 28 | New York | $59,450 | $28.58 | 26,770 | 0.87 |
| 29 | Oklahoma | $59,350 | $28.53 | 5,150 | 0.95 |
| 30 | California | $59,250 | $28.48 | 75,610 | 1.31 |
| 31 | Montana | $59,000 | $28.36 | 1,820 | 1.12 |
| 32 | Georgia | $58,960 | $28.35 | 9,600 | 0.62 |
| 33 | Minnesota | $58,780 | $28.26 | 7,110 | 0.76 |
| 34 | Ohio | $58,360 | $28.06 | 18,020 | 1.03 |
| 35 | Nevada | $57,210 | $27.51 | 1,810 | 0.37 |
| 36 | Missouri | $56,910 | $27.36 | 8,130 | 0.87 |
| 37 | Florida | $56,790 | $27.30 | 29,750 | 0.95 |
| 38 | Delaware | $56,020 | $26.93 | 1,700 | 1.11 |
| 39 | North Carolina | $55,490 | $26.68 | 10,300 | 0.66 |
| 40 | New Hampshire | $54,840 | $26.36 | 3,690 | 1.71 |
| 41 | Kentucky | $54,190 | $26.05 | 7,690 | 1.22 |
| 42 | Indiana | $53,760 | $25.85 | 11,890 | 1.17 |
| 43 | South Dakota | $53,650 | $25.79 | 1,710 | 1.18 |
| 44 | South Carolina | $52,370 | $25.18 | 6,300 | 0.86 |
| 45 | Pennsylvania | $52,010 | $25.01 | 30,620 | 1.60 |
| 46 | Arkansas | $51,580 | $24.80 | 2,570 | 0.62 |
| 47 | Tennessee | $49,580 | $23.84 | 9,040 | 0.87 |
| 48 | West Virginia | $49,430 | $23.76 | 2,100 | 0.95 |
| 49 | Alabama | $47,310 | $22.74 | — | — |
| 50 | Mississippi | $46,990 | $22.59 | 2,090 | 0.57 |
| 51 | Louisiana | $37,910 | $18.22 | 6,420 | 1.05 |
Related occupations
Same job family, ranked by national employment.
Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make?
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the United States is $59,350, or $28.53 per hour. Entry-level workers (10th percentile) earn $38,940, and the top 10% earn $97,590.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are employed in the U.S.?
About 491,930 people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors nationwide.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Alaska pays the most at a median of $80,770, followed by Oregon ($74,590) and New Mexico ($74,100).
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the least?
Louisiana has the lowest median at $37,910.
Where are substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors jobs most concentrated?
The location quotient measures employment concentration relative to the national average. The highest is New Hampshire at 1.71×.