SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Central Louisiana
Central Louisiana nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Central Louisiana, LA is $36,350 a year, 38.8% under the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Central Louisiana, LA is $36,350 a year, 38.8% under the national median of $59,350 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $31,730 and $54,890. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $28,300 and the ninetieth at $63,030.
The area has 220 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.9 of every thousand jobs. Shreveport leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 179th of 255 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,300 | −52.3% |
| 25th | $31,730 | −46.5% |
| Median (50th) | $36,350 | −38.8% |
| 75th | $54,890 | −7.5% |
| 90th | $63,030 | +6.2% |
| Mean | $43,910 | −26.0% |
Other metro areas in Louisiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreveport | $48,100 | 410 | |
| 2 | Baton Rouge | $46,840 | 840 | |
| 3 | Monroe | $45,310 | 420 | |
| 4 | New Orleans | $42,140 | 1,580 | |
| 5 | Lake Charles | $38,610 | 350 | |
| 6 | Lafayette | $37,660 | 620 | |
| 7 | Alexandria | $37,150 | 300 | |
| 8 | Hammond | $36,750 | 130 | |
| 9 | Houma | $36,520 | 600 | |
| 10 | Slidell | $34,470 | 470 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Central Louisiana run 11.8% below the national average, so the median of $36,350 goes as far as $41,213 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$41,213US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,350 a year, 38.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $28,300 to $63,030 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 220 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Shreveport, at $48,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Central Louisiana, LA?
The median annual wage is $36,350, or $17.48 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 Central Louisiana, LA is 38.8% 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 Central Louisiana, LA earns more than $63,030 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $28,300 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 Shreveport, at $48,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 220 jobs in this occupation in Central Louisiana, LA. 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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