SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Ames
Ames, IA · 7 metro areas compared
In Ames, IA the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $69,750 a year, which is 17.5% higher than the national figure of $59,350.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Ames, IA the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $69,750 a year, which is 17.5% higher than the national figure of $59,350. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,520 and $114,710. The lowest tenth earn under $42,480, while the highest tenth earn more than $123,280.
The area has 130 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.4 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Iowa City records the highest median at $66,810. Of the 246 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 77th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,480 | −28.4% |
| 25th | $48,520 | −18.2% |
| Median (50th) | $69,750 | +17.5% |
| 75th | $114,710 | +93.3% |
| 90th | $123,280 | +107.7% |
| Mean | $79,660 | +34.2% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Iowa City | $66,810 | 290 | |
| 2 | Waterloo | $63,230 | 130 | |
| 3 | Des Moines | $61,320 | 920 | |
| 4 | Davenport | $60,430 | 600 | |
| 5 | Sioux City | $60,240 | 200 | |
| 6 | Cedar Rapids | $59,990 | 410 | |
| 7 | Dubuque | $57,530 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Ames run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $69,750 goes as far as $79,442 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 33.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$69,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$79,442US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $69,750 a year, 17.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,480 to $123,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 130 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Iowa City, at $66,810.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Ames, IA?
The median annual wage is $69,750, or $33.53 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $59,350, so pay in Ames, IA is 17.5% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Ames, IA earns more than $123,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,480 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Iowa City, at $66,810 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 130 jobs in this occupation in Ames, IA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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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