SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Lynchburg
Lynchburg, VA · 8 metro areas compared
At $60,220, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Lynchburg, VA tracks the national median of $59,350 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,220, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Lynchburg, VA tracks the national median of $59,350 closely. Pay ranges from under $39,440 at the tenth percentile to more than $105,940 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $45,430 to $79,600.
The area has 780 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 2.55 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Harrisonburg records the highest median at $61,830. Of the 310 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 104th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,440 | −33.5% |
| 25th | $45,430 | −23.5% |
| Median (50th) | $60,220 | +1.5% |
| 75th | $79,600 | +34.1% |
| 90th | $105,940 | +78.5% |
| Mean | $66,180 | +11.5% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harrisonburg | $61,830 | 260 | |
| 2 | Virginia Beach | $59,280 | 3,760 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $57,860 | 4,150 | |
| 4 | Charlottesville | $57,220 | — | |
| 5 | Staunton | $55,060 | 190 | |
| 6 | Blacksburg | $52,060 | 730 | |
| 7 | Roanoke | $52,040 | 570 | |
| 8 | Winchester | $50,580 | 340 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Lynchburg sit close to the national average, so $60,220 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$60,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$59,565US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,220 a year, 1.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,440 to $105,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 780 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 Lynchburg, VA?
The median annual wage is $60,220, or $28.95 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 Lynchburg, VA is 1.5% 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 Lynchburg, VA earns more than $105,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,440 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 780 jobs in this occupation in Lynchburg, 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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