SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Louisville/Jefferson County
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN · 5 metro areas compared
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY the median wage is $50,970.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY the median wage is $50,970. That is 14.1% lower than the national median of $59,350. Pay ranges from under $37,530 at the tenth percentile to more than $87,360 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $41,730 to $74,350.
Employment stands at 2,870, or 4.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Elizabethtown records the highest median at $58,720. Of the 560 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 323rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,530 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $41,730 | −29.7% |
| Median (50th) | $50,970 | −14.1% |
| 75th | $74,350 | +25.3% |
| 90th | $87,360 | +47.2% |
| Mean | $58,480 | −1.5% |
Other metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elizabethtown | $58,720 | 260 | |
| 2 | Paducah | $58,240 | 140 | |
| 3 | Lexington | $58,190 | 970 | |
| 4 | Bowling Green | $57,720 | 370 | |
| 5 | Owensboro | $51,770 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Louisville/Jefferson County run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $50,970 goes as far as $56,508 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$50,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,508US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $50,970 a year, 14.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,530 to $87,360 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,870 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elizabethtown, at $58,720.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY?
The median annual wage is $50,970, or $24.51 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY is 14.1% 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns more than $87,360 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,530 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 Elizabethtown, at $58,720 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,870 jobs in this occupation in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. 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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