Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is internship/residency.
Job outlook for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 533,400 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 631,400 in 2035, an increase of 98,000 jobs (+18.4%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 50,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.5% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. 5.4% of workers in this occupation are self-employed; the wage figures below cover wage and salary workers. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,350, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn the most
Across the 16 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $54,753 in Pennsylvania to $65,270 in District of Columbia, a gap of $10,517 (1.19 times). 11 of those 16 states average above the BLS national median of $59,350 and 5 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 72,610, which is 17.4% of the 418,430 counted across them. New Jersey follows with 44,930.
Highest-paying states
District of Columbia ($65,270), Arizona ($65,137) and Colorado ($63,281) lead the ranking, while Pennsylvania ($54,753) and Florida ($56,571) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: pay against the cost of living
We compare 19 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Jefferson County, WV (Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV) at $32,485. The smallest margin is $4,192 in Los Angeles County, CA.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 19 of the 19 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 24.2% and 67.7% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists and Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (21-1000) include Healthcare Social Workers, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Social and Human Service Assistants.
Frequently asked questions about Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $59,350. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $54,753 to $65,270.
Which state pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors the most?
District of Columbia, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $65,270. Arizona is next at $65,137.
Is Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 18.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 50,500 openings a year.
What education do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree and internship/residency, according to BLS.
Where can Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Jefferson County, WV leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $32,485 on a median wage of $65,270.