SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Blacksburg
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Blacksburg, VA is $52,060 per year, 12.3% below the national median of $59,350.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Blacksburg, VA is $52,060 per year, 12.3% below the national median of $59,350. Half of workers earn between $45,020 and $58,230. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,190 and the ninetieth at $73,020.
The area has 730 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 9.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Harrisonburg records the highest median at $61,830. Of the 257 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 131st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,190 | −32.3% |
| 25th | $45,020 | −24.1% |
| Median (50th) | $52,060 | −12.3% |
| 75th | $58,230 | −1.9% |
| 90th | $73,020 | +23.0% |
| Mean | $54,690 | −7.9% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisonburg | $61,830 | 260 | |
| 2 | Lynchburg | $60,220 | 780 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $59,280 | 3,760 | |
| 4 | Richmond | $57,860 | 4,150 | |
| 5 | Charlottesville | $57,220 | — | |
| 6 | Staunton | $55,060 | 190 | |
| 7 | Roanoke | $52,040 | 570 | |
| 8 | Winchester | $50,580 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Blacksburg sit close to the national average, so $52,060 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$52,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,494US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,060 a year, 12.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,190 to $73,020 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 730 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Harrisonburg, at $61,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Blacksburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $52,060, or $25.03 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 Blacksburg, VA is 12.3% lower. 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 Blacksburg, VA earns more than $73,020 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,190 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 Harrisonburg, at $61,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 730 jobs in this occupation in Blacksburg, VA. 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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