Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors · Washington

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Washington

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Washington earn a median annual wage of $68,910 —16.1% above the national median of $59,350. That ranks WA #4 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.

Median annual
$68,910
Median hourly
$33.13
Entry level (P10)
$47,220
10th percentile
Top 10% (P90)
$110,580
90th percentile
Employment
14,250
4.0 per 1,000 jobs
vs U.S. median
+16.1%
U.S. $59,350

Wage distribution

How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.

10th percentile90th percentile
$47,220
$56,280
$68,910
$90,970
$47,220$68,910$110,580
Annual wage distribution. Highlighted segment contains the median of $68,910.

Employment is 1.27× as concentrated as the national average, making Washington 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. Washington is highlighted.

#StateMedian annual Median hourlyEmploymentLocation quotient
1Alaska$80,770$38.831,2901.26
2Oregon$74,590$35.868,1601.31
3New Mexico$74,100$35.632,4200.88
4Washington$68,910$33.1314,2501.27
5North Dakota$68,630$33.001,2900.95
6Arizona$65,300$31.399,9900.97
7Rhode Island$65,120$31.312,1701.37
8Utah$63,890$30.726,3201.15
9Nebraska$63,770$30.662,1700.67
10Connecticut$63,590$30.577,5401.41

Related occupations in Washington

Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.

Frequently asked questions

How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Washington?

The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Washington is $68,910, or $33.13 per hour. That is 16.1% above the national median of $59,350.

What is the entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in Washington?

Workers at the 10th percentile earn $47,220 per year ($22.70/hour). The 25th percentile is $56,280.

How many people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Washington?

About 14,250 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 4.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.

Is Washington a good state for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?

Washington ranks #4 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.27x as concentrated as the national average, making Washington 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).

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, cross-industry estimates. Retrieved 2026-10-26. Figures are rounded by BLS to the nearest dollar (annual) and cent (hourly). Percentile wages describe the distribution of workers, not the pay range for a single job posting. bls.gov/oes