SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · United States
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors across the United States is $59,350 per year, measured over 491,930 jobs. The highest state median is in Alaska, at $80,770.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Pay for this occupation varies by 113.1% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Alaska pays $80,770 and Louisiana pays $37,910.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $80,770 | 1,290 | |
| 2 | Oregon | $74,590 | 8,160 | |
| 3 | New Mexico | $74,100 | 2,420 | |
| 4 | Washington | $68,910 | 14,250 | |
| 5 | North Dakota | $68,630 | 1,290 | |
| 6 | Arizona | $65,300 | 9,990 | |
| 7 | Rhode Island | $65,120 | 2,170 | |
| 8 | Utah | $63,890 | 6,320 | |
| 9 | Nebraska | $63,770 | 2,170 | |
| 10 | Connecticut | $63,590 | 7,540 |
States with the most Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 75,610 | $59,250 | |
| 2 | Pennsylvania | 30,620 | $52,010 | |
| 3 | Florida | 29,750 | $56,790 | |
| 4 | New York | 26,770 | $59,450 | |
| 5 | Texas | 21,400 | $62,630 | |
| 6 | Illinois | 20,250 | $60,730 | |
| 7 | Massachusetts | 18,190 | $59,890 | |
| 8 | Ohio | 18,020 | $58,360 | |
| 9 | Virginia | 17,940 | $59,880 | |
| 10 | Colorado | 14,920 | $62,390 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairbanks | $83,680 | 100 |
| 2 | Anchorage | $81,120 | 810 |
| 3 | San Luis Obispo | $80,770 | 350 |
| 4 | Albany | $78,910 | 110 |
| 5 | Salem | $78,870 | 560 |
| 6 | Bellingham | $77,620 | 440 |
| 7 | Lincoln | $76,480 | 560 |
| 8 | Las Cruces | $76,350 | 310 |
| 9 | Corvallis | $75,700 | 170 |
| 10 | Bend | $75,470 | 590 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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