SOC 21-1018 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors — Wisconsin
Wisconsin · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $62,220 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $59,350.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $62,220 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $59,350. Half of workers earn between $52,420 and $77,520. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,510 and the ninetieth at $94,640.
The area has 8,340 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.90 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Wisconsin ranks 16th by median wage. Oshkosh leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $67,450. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 335th of 728 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,510 | −21.6% |
| 25th | $52,420 | −11.7% |
| Median (50th) | $62,220 | +4.8% |
| 75th | $77,520 | +30.6% |
| 90th | $94,640 | +59.5% |
| Mean | $68,280 | +15.0% |
Highest-paying 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 | Wausau | $61,240 | 250 | |
| 10 | Appleton | $60,380 | 480 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wisconsin run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $62,220 goes as far as $66,121 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,220as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,121US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,220 a year, 4.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,510 to $94,640 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 8,340 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 16th of 51 states for 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 Wisconsin?
The median annual wage is $62,220, or $29.91 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 Wisconsin is 4.8% 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 Wisconsin earns more than $94,640 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,510 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 8,340 jobs in this occupation in Wisconsin. 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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