Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn a median $59,350 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
U.S. median
$59,350
$28.53 per hour
Range
$38,940 – $97,590
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
491,930
across the U.S.
▲0.3%
Pay trend: The median for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the U.S. rose from $59,190 (May 2024) to $59,350 (May 2025). That trailed inflation (2.4%), so buying power slipped about 2.1%.
What substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors do
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +18.4% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 50,500
- Self-employed
- 5%
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 50,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$49,868
per year · effective tax rate 16.0%
$4,156Monthly
$2,078Twice a month
$1,918Every 2 weeks
$23.97Hourly
- Federal income tax$4,942
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,680
- Medicare (1.45%)$861
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$49,868
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,940 | $18.72 | $33,468 |
| 25th percentile | $47,100 | $22.64 | $40,025 |
| Median (50th) | $59,350 | $28.53 | $49,868 |
| 75th percentile | $76,530 | $36.79 | $62,669 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,590 | $46.92 | $77,485 |
Best cities for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Houston, TX | $67,370 | $56,225 | $57,006 | 5,050 |
| 2 | Austin, TX | $66,780 | $55,810 | $56,910 | 2,930 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $73,580 | $60,594 | $54,523 | 7,350 |
| 4 | Portland, OR | $75,420 | $56,118 | $53,233 | 4,640 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $60,690 | $49,029 | $52,980 | 2,470 |
| 6 | Cleveland, OH | $59,630 | $49,235 | $52,421 | 2,860 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $66,020 | $53,785 | $52,059 | 7,950 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | $61,960 | $50,020 | $51,600 | 2,360 |
| 9 | Columbus, OH | $59,370 | $49,033 | $51,361 | 3,890 |
| 10 | San Jose, CA | $72,550 | $56,334 | $51,016 | 2,550 |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $62,560 | $52,447 | $50,875 | 5,000 |
| 12 | Cincinnati, OH | $58,520 | $48,374 | $50,722 | 3,460 |
| 13 | Salt Lake City, UT | $63,100 | $51,007 | $50,568 | 2,720 |
| 14 | St. Louis, MO | $58,570 | $47,426 | $49,875 | 3,330 |
| 15 | Detroit, MI | $60,890 | $48,768 | $48,623 | 4,290 |
| 16 | Atlanta, GA | $60,880 | $48,560 | $48,532 | 5,880 |
| 17 | Hartford, CT | $61,400 | $49,677 | $48,349 | 3,230 |
| 18 | Virginia Beach, VA | $59,280 | $47,217 | $48,210 | 3,760 |
| 19 | Denver, CO | $62,810 | $50,593 | $47,827 | 8,480 |
| 20 | Washington, DC | $65,270 | $51,828 | $47,600 | 9,030 |
| 21 | Providence, RI | $59,120 | $48,083 | $47,245 | 3,850 |
| 22 | Richmond, VA | $57,860 | $46,158 | $47,168 | 4,150 |
| 23 | Orlando, FL | $56,710 | $47,746 | $47,079 | 3,270 |
| 24 | Chicago, IL | $61,600 | $48,771 | $47,079 | 15,580 |
| 25 | Charlotte, NC | $56,130 | $45,550 | $46,790 | 3,380 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Portland, OR — $75,420
- Seattle, WA — $73,580
- San Jose, CA — $72,550
- San Francisco, CA — $68,400
- Houston, TX — $67,370
- Austin, TX — $66,780
- Phoenix, AZ — $66,020
- Washington, DC — $65,270
- Salt Lake City, UT — $63,100
- Denver, CO — $62,810
- Dallas, TX — $62,560
- Boston, MA — $62,130
- Milwaukee, WI — $61,960
- Chicago, IL — $61,600
- Hartford, CT — $61,400
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,770 | +2.0% | $65,652 | $58,240 – $114,650 | 1,290 |
| Oregon | $74,590 | +7.1% | $55,607 | $49,860 – $102,830 | 8,160 |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | +4.7% | $58,642 | $48,900 – $113,420 | 2,420 |
| Washington | $68,910 | +7.3% | $57,308 | $47,220 – $110,580 | 14,250 |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | +3.3% | $57,032 | $43,270 – $86,630 | 1,290 |
| Arizona | $65,300 | +2.3% | $53,225 | $44,520 – $95,210 | 9,990 |
| Rhode Island | $65,120 | +30.8% | $52,679 | $43,960 – $98,440 | 2,170 |
| Utah | $63,890 | −3.1% | $51,607 | $35,410 – $106,080 | 6,320 |
| Nebraska | $63,770 | −1.0% | $51,397 | $42,400 – $109,610 | 2,170 |
| Connecticut | $63,590 | +1.0% | $51,338 | $44,080 – $99,540 | 7,540 |
| Idaho | $63,360 | −2.9% | $50,840 | $36,400 – $98,760 | 2,990 |
| Wyoming | $62,980 | +2.2% | $52,784 | $36,960 – $103,150 | 910 |
| New Jersey | $62,820 | −2.9% | $50,733 | $40,630 – $104,310 | 14,210 |
| Texas | $62,630 | +3.3% | $52,503 | $37,650 – $95,910 | 21,400 |
| Colorado | $62,390 | +5.4% | $50,274 | $44,060 – $100,020 | 14,920 |
| Wisconsin | $62,220 | −0.4% | $50,217 | $46,510 – $94,640 | 8,340 |
| Vermont | $61,810 | +2.3% | $50,208 | $47,820 – $80,690 | 1,120 |
| Michigan | $61,690 | +3.6% | $49,377 | $38,490 – $94,400 | 10,100 |
| Iowa | $60,880 | +0.0% | $49,435 | $44,450 – $102,890 | 3,530 |
| Illinois | $60,730 | +1.9% | $48,115 | $43,010 – $109,100 | 20,250 |
| District of Columbia | $60,450 | −8.6% | $48,269 | $43,060 – $107,980 | 1,260 |
| Hawaii | $60,090 | +10.5% | $47,426 | $48,460 – $104,790 | 2,110 |
| Maine | $59,970 | −1.6% | $47,500 | $43,310 – $89,220 | 1,930 |
| Massachusetts | $59,890 | +1.5% | $47,527 | $43,180 – $96,200 | 18,190 |
| Virginia | $59,880 | +2.5% | $47,665 | $39,730 – $100,040 | 17,940 |
| Maryland | $59,530 | +3.0% | $47,548 | $44,050 – $91,980 | 9,730 |
| Kansas | $59,470 | +3.0% | $47,445 | $37,910 – $85,860 | 2,600 |
| New York | $59,450 | −4.2% | $47,335 | $42,410 – $90,590 | 26,770 |
| Oklahoma | $59,350 | +1.3% | $47,742 | $35,350 – $92,870 | 5,150 |
| California | $59,250 | −3.4% | $47,413 | $44,640 – $111,080 | 75,610 |
| Montana | $59,000 | +0.6% | $47,570 | $36,840 – $83,640 | 1,820 |
| Georgia | $58,960 | +6.6% | $47,117 | $37,390 – $90,980 | 9,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,780 | +0.1% | $46,936 | $45,250 – $77,320 | 7,110 |
| Ohio | $58,360 | +2.4% | $48,250 | $39,010 – $83,730 | 18,020 |
| Nevada | $57,210 | −3.8% | $48,148 | $42,920 – $98,010 | 1,810 |
| Missouri | $56,910 | +0.5% | $46,170 | $37,650 – $89,400 | 8,130 |
| Florida | $56,790 | −0.1% | $47,811 | $39,430 – $84,410 | 29,750 |
| Delaware | $56,020 | +12.8% | $44,760 | $36,940 – $80,710 | 1,700 |
| North Carolina | $55,490 | −1.7% | $45,061 | $37,440 – $86,010 | 10,300 |
| New Hampshire | $54,840 | −6.3% | $46,244 | $38,480 – $81,050 | 3,690 |
| Kentucky | $54,190 | +4.6% | $43,943 | $35,150 – $83,070 | 7,690 |
| Indiana | $53,760 | +9.1% | $43,820 | $37,580 – $83,200 | 11,890 |
| South Dakota | $53,650 | +0.5% | $45,288 | $39,210 – $67,010 | 1,710 |
| South Carolina | $52,370 | +3.3% | $42,274 | $35,010 – $81,420 | 6,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $52,010 | −10.8% | $42,373 | $36,280 – $81,970 | 30,620 |
| Arkansas | $51,580 | +3.2% | $41,826 | $35,760 – $100,270 | 2,570 |
| Tennessee | $49,580 | +2.9% | $42,018 | $34,950 – $76,620 | 9,040 |
| West Virginia | $49,430 | +5.8% | $40,402 | $36,990 – $73,360 | 2,100 |
| Alabama | $47,310 | −3.2% | $38,093 | $34,420 – $76,510 | — |
| Mississippi | $46,990 | +0.4% | $38,789 | $32,770 – $77,310 | 2,090 |
| Louisiana | $37,910 | −5.7% | $31,890 | $29,860 – $65,720 | 6,420 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
| Counselors, All Other | $50,860 | Master's degree | +5.9% |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $46,850 | Master's degree | +2.2% |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker | $60,280 | Master's degree | +10.3% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make?
The national median salary for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $59,350 a year ($28.53 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,940 and the top 10% earn over $97,590. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors the most?
Alaska has the highest median pay at $80,770. After taxes and local prices, Houston, TX offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are there in the U.S.?
About 491,930 people work as substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors nationwide.
All 42 cities
- Atlanta, GA
- Austin, TX
- Baltimore, MD
- Boston, MA
- Charlotte, NC
- Chicago, IL
- Cincinnati, OH
- Cleveland, OH
- Columbus, OH
- Dallas, TX
- Denver, CO
- Detroit, MI
- Hartford, CT
- Houston, TX
- Indianapolis, IN
- Kansas City, MO
- Los Angeles, CA
- Louisville, KY
- Miami, FL
- Milwaukee, WI
- Minneapolis, MN
- Nashville, TN
- New York, NY
- Orlando, FL
- Philadelphia, PA
- Phoenix, AZ
- Pittsburgh, PA
- Portland, OR
- Providence, RI
- Richmond, VA
- Riverside, CA
- Sacramento, CA
- Salt Lake City, UT
- San Diego, CA
- San Francisco, CA
- San Jose, CA
- Seattle, WA
- St. Louis, MO
- Tampa, FL
- Virginia Beach, VA
- Washington, DC
- Worcester, MA