SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — South Carolina
South Carolina · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina is $52,370 per year, 11.8% 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 South Carolina is $52,370 per year, 11.8% below the national median of $59,350. Half of workers earn between $43,070 and $65,070. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,010 and the ninetieth at $81,420.
Employment stands at 6,300, or 2.7 jobs per thousand held locally. South Carolina ranks number 44th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Columbia records the highest median at $58,920. Of the 713 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 368th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,010 | −41.0% |
| 25th | $43,070 | −27.4% |
| Median (50th) | $52,370 | −11.8% |
| 75th | $65,070 | +9.6% |
| 90th | $81,420 | +37.2% |
| Mean | $55,880 | −5.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $58,920 | 1,260 | |
| 2 | Myrtle Beach | $56,780 | 300 | |
| 3 | Florence | $55,340 | 200 | |
| 4 | Greenville | $54,760 | 1,070 | |
| 5 | Charleston | $53,260 | 890 | |
| 6 | Hilton Head Island | $49,630 | 200 | |
| 7 | Sumter | $49,030 | 120 | |
| 8 | Spartanburg | $43,810 | 550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Carolina run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $52,370 goes as far as $55,891 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,370as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,891US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,370 a year, 11.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,010 to $81,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 6,300 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 44th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $58,920.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina?
The median annual wage is $52,370, or $25.18 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 South Carolina is 11.8% 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 South Carolina earns more than $81,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,010 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 Columbia, at $58,920 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 6,300 jobs in this occupation in South Carolina. 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.
Explore related data