What is the Average Income of a Substance Abuse Counselor?

<h3 id="section---AverageIncomeOverview">Average Income Overview</h3> <p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average annual salary for substance abuse counselors, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors was $53,490 in May 2021 (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). The lowest ten percent of workers earned $30,870 or less, while the top ten percent took in $77,980 or more per year. Your specific salary will vary based on your employer, region and work experience. </p> <h3 id="section---ImportantFactsAboutSubstanceAbuseCounselors"> Important Facts About Substance Abuse Counselors</h3> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> Required Education </td><td> High school diploma, or equivalent; but, most positions require at least a bachelor's degree</td></tr> <tr><td> Licensure </td><td> Mandatory for all private practice counselors, and requirements vary by state; prerequisites provided by the National Board of Certified Counselors</td></tr> <tr><td> Key Skills </td><td> Close listening, clear communication, empathy, organization, problem-solving, critical thinking, reading comprehension, good judgment and decision making</td></tr> <tr><td> Similar Occupations </td><td> Psychologists; rehabilitation counselors; school and career counselors; social and community service managers; social workers; mental health counselors and marriage and family counselors</td></tr> </table><h3 id="section---IncomeByEmployer">Income by Employer</h3> <p>Outpatient care centers were the largest employer of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in May 2021, according to the BLS. The average income for these workers was $51,980 per year. Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities were also popular employers for counselors, who earned an average annual wage of $45,150 as of May 2021, the BLS states. Those working in individual and family services earned an average wage of $52,170. </p> <p>The BLS reported that business, professional, labor, political, and similar organizations offered the most competitive wages, paying workers an average yearly salary of $78,570 as of May 2021. Counselors working for insurance carriers had a mean annual income of $75,390. Other high-paying industries included agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities ($75,880); junior colleges ($68,490); and nursing care facilities ($68,180). </p> <h3 id="section---IncomeByRegion">Income by Region</h3> <p>If you're interested in popular regions to work as a substance abuse counselor, the BLS stated that California, Pennsylvania and New York held the greatest number of positions in the field. Each of these states had jobs for more than 18,000 counselors as of May 2021. California and Pennsylvania employers offered mean yearly incomes of $59,790 and $49,480, respectively. New York counselors earned an average annual salary of $56,050. </p> <p>Utah was the highest-paying state for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, with an average annual wage of $66,190. Alaska, the District of Columbia, Rhode Island and New Jersey were the other top-paying states, with average salaries of $65,090, $64,920, $64,640, and $63,430, respectively. The lowest-paying states offered average wages of $20,290-$46,900, and these areas included Montana, South Dakota, Missouri, Louisana, Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. </p> <h3 id="section---IncomeByExperience">Income by Experience</h3> <p>Your level of experience can impact your salary. According to <i>PayScale.com</i>, most substance abuse counselors with 0-5 years of experience made $30,000-$50,000 per year in March 2023. Most workers with 5-10 years of experience earned $34,000-$58,000 a year. The majority of counselors with 10-20 years of experience received $37,000-$67,000 annually. Most workers with 20 years or more of experience earned $38,000-$66,000. </p> <h3 id="section---JobOutlook">Job Outlook</h3> <p>The BLS reported that substance abuse and behavioral disorder counseling positions were projected to rise by 22% between 2021 and 2031, which was much greater than the average for other employment sectors. There should be favorable prospects for individuals who have the necessary training and experience for this career.</p>