Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median salary
$59,350
Average salary
$64,440
Employment
491,930
Projected growth
16.8% growth
Annual openings
48,300
Typical entry education
Master's degree
See full salary breakdown & percentiles →
Career Outlook
National employment outlook, 2024–2034.
- Related work experience
- None
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Self-employed
- 5.9%
Source: BLS Employment Projections — 2024-2034.
Where This Career Is Most Concentrated
Metro areas where substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make up the largest share of local employment, relative to the national average (BLS location quotient).
- 1Bloomington, IN4.13× national avg
- 2Pueblo, CO3.60× national avg
- 3Bay City, MI3.24× national avg
- 4Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA3.11× national avg
- 5Amherst Town-Northampton, MA2.85× national avg