Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in California
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in California earn a median annual wage of $59,250 —0.2% below the national median of $59,350. That ranks CA #30 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.31× as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | 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 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $51,090 | $45,930 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $65,200 | $59,550 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $86,500 | $64,330 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $89,660 | $67,880 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $79,000 | $60,280 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $58,770 | $56,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in California?
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California is $59,250, or $28.48 per hour. That is 0.2% below the national median of $59,350.
What is the entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $44,640 per year ($21.46/hour). The 25th percentile is $47,640.
How many people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in California?
About 75,610 people work in this occupation in California, or 4.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
California ranks #30 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.31x as concentrated as the national average, making California a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Alaska has the highest median wage at $80,770 per year, followed by Oregon ($74,590) and New Mexico ($74,100).