SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Wausau
Wausau, WI · 10 metro areas compared
At $61,240, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Wausau, WI tracks the national median of $59,350 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $61,240, median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Wausau, WI tracks the national median of $59,350 closely. Pay ranges from under $46,230 at the tenth percentile to more than $82,910 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $51,660 to $75,780.
Employment stands at 250, or 3.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Oshkosh records the highest median at $67,450. Of the 268 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 104th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,230 | −22.1% |
| 25th | $51,660 | −13.0% |
| Median (50th) | $61,240 | +3.2% |
| 75th | $75,780 | +27.7% |
| 90th | $82,910 | +39.7% |
| Mean | $64,410 | +8.5% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oshkosh | $67,450 | 300 | |
| 2 | Janesville | $64,560 | 230 | |
| 3 | Madison | $64,250 | 1,500 | |
| 4 | Sheboygan | $63,820 | 150 | |
| 5 | La Crosse | $62,460 | 330 | |
| 6 | Fond du Lac | $62,190 | 130 | |
| 7 | Milwaukee | $61,960 | 2,360 | |
| 8 | Eau Claire | $61,810 | 220 | |
| 9 | Appleton | $60,380 | 480 | |
| 10 | Kenosha | $60,300 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wausau run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $61,240 goes as far as $65,080 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$61,240as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$65,080US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,240 a year, 3.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,230 to $82,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 250 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Oshkosh, at $67,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Wausau, WI?
The median annual wage is $61,240, or $29.44 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 Wausau, WI is 3.2% 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 Wausau, WI earns more than $82,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,230 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 Oshkosh, at $67,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 250 jobs in this occupation in Wausau, WI. 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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