SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Dayton
Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH · 10 metro areas compared
At $59,790, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Dayton, OH tracks the national median of $59,350 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $59,790, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Dayton, OH tracks the national median of $59,350 closely. Pay ranges from under $38,760 at the tenth percentile to more than $84,870 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,920 to $72,960.
The area has 1,090 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.92 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Akron records the highest median at $60,030. Of the 515 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 259th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,760 | −34.7% |
| 25th | $48,920 | −17.6% |
| Median (50th) | $59,790 | +0.7% |
| 75th | $72,960 | +22.9% |
| 90th | $84,870 | +43.0% |
| Mean | $61,090 | +2.9% |
Other metro areas in Ohio
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Akron | $60,030 | 1,070 | |
| 2 | Cleveland | $59,630 | 2,860 | |
| 3 | Columbus | $59,370 | 3,890 | |
| 4 | Sandusky | $58,570 | 70 | |
| 5 | Cincinnati | $58,520 | 3,460 | |
| 6 | Toledo | $58,190 | 1,080 | |
| 7 | Lima | $57,230 | 120 | |
| 8 | Canton | $56,640 | 400 | |
| 9 | Youngstown | $56,090 | 840 | |
| 10 | Springfield | $55,940 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Dayton run 7.2% below the national average, so the median of $59,790 goes as far as $64,429 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,790as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,429US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,790 a year, 0.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,760 to $84,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,090 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Akron, at $60,030.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Dayton, OH?
The median annual wage is $59,790, or $28.74 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 Dayton, OH is 0.7% 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 Dayton, OH earns more than $84,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,760 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 Akron, at $60,030 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,090 jobs in this occupation in Dayton, OH. 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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