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Mental health counselor: pay, job outlook and how to become one

Updated October 26, 2026. Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET data. Published by Humblebee.

$59,350median pay per year, or $28.53 an hour, May 2025[1]
  1. $38,940lowest 10% earn less
  2. $47,10025th percentile
  3. $59,350median
  4. $76,53075th percentile
  5. $97,590top 10% earn more
Middle half of workers in the inner band[4]Median for all US jobs, $50,980[5]

A mental health counselor, which BLS groups with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors, had a median pay of $59,350 a year in May 2025[1]. Jobs are projected to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, against 3.5% for all occupations[2][3].

Job growth, 2025–35
+18.4%[2]
Openings per year
50,500[6]
Typical entry education
Master's degree[7]

How much do mental health counselors make?

The official BLS category is substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors. Its median pay was $59,350 a year, or $28.53 an hour[1]. The average was $64,440 a year, or $30.98 an hour[8]. The median for all occupations was $50,980 a year[5].

The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $38,940 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $97,590[4]. The 25th percentile was $47,100 and the 75th was $76,530[4]. Hourly, the 10th, 25th, 75th and 90th percentiles were $18.72, $22.65, $36.80 and $46.92[9].

A percentile is a boundary, and BLS publishes no starting salary[10]. The figures cover wage and salary workers and leave out the self-employed, bonuses and the cost of benefits[11]. In 2025, 5.4% of these counselors were self-employed[12].

Pay by state and city

Alaska had the highest state median at $80,770 a year, followed by Oregon at $74,590 and New Mexico at $74,100[13]. Louisiana had the lowest listed median at $37,910[13]. Among metro areas with at least 100 jobs, Fairbanks-College, AK was first at $83,680, then Anchorage, AK at $81,120[14].

California had the most jobs at 75,610, followed by Pennsylvania at 30,620 and Florida at 29,750[15]. California's median was $59,250[13]. The metro area with the most jobs was Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim at 26,960, with a median of $51,910[16]. New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ came next at 26,200 jobs and a median of $61,020[16].

Show median pay in 50 states and DC
StateMedian per yearJobs
Alaska[13]$80,7701,290
Oregon$74,5908,160
New Mexico$74,1002,420
Washington$68,91014,250
North Dakota$68,6301,290
Arizona$65,3009,990
Rhode Island$65,1202,170
Utah$63,8906,320
Nebraska$63,7702,170
Connecticut$63,5907,540
Idaho$63,3602,990
Wyoming$62,980910
New Jersey$62,82014,210
Texas$62,63021,400
Colorado$62,39014,920
Wisconsin$62,2208,340
Vermont$61,8101,120
Michigan$61,69010,100
Iowa$60,8803,530
Illinois$60,73020,250
District of Columbia$60,4501,260
Hawaii$60,0902,110
Maine$59,9701,930
Massachusetts$59,89018,190
Virginia$59,88017,940
Maryland$59,5309,730
Kansas$59,4702,600
New York$59,45026,770
Oklahoma$59,3505,150
California$59,25075,610
Montana$59,0001,820
Georgia$58,9609,600
Minnesota$58,7807,110
Ohio$58,36018,020
Nevada$57,2101,810
Missouri$56,9108,130
Florida$56,79029,750
Delaware$56,0201,700
North Carolina$55,49010,300
New Hampshire$54,8403,690
Kentucky$54,1907,690
Indiana$53,76011,890
South Dakota$53,6501,710
South Carolina$52,3706,300
Pennsylvania$52,01030,620
Arkansas$51,5802,570
Tennessee$49,5809,040
West Virginia$49,4302,100
Alabama$47,310n/a
Mississippi$46,9902,090
Louisiana$37,9106,420

How to become a mental health counselor

BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education, with no related work experience and an internship or residency as typical training[7]. The BLS handbook says requirements vary by the type of counselor[17].

Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor's degree. Requirements can range from a high school diploma to a master's degree, depending on the position, state or employer[20]. Those in private practice must be licensed. Rules vary by state, but all states require a master's degree and a set number of supervised clinical hours, plus an exam and yearly continuing education[21]. Outside private practice, licensing rules vary by state[22]. Some jobs also ask for basic life support or CPR certification[23]. State licensing board details are available from CareerOneStop[24].

BLS notes that counselors who have overcome addiction themselves are sometimes seen as especially helpful to people seeking treatment[25]. Good communication and compassion are listed as important qualities[26][27].

Where they work

Counselors work in many settings, such as hospitals, correctional facilities, and treatment centers that serve inpatients or outpatients. Some addiction counselors work in residential centers where clients live during recovery[28]. The largest employer group in 2025 was offices of other health practitioners, at 20%[29].

Most counselors work full time, though part-time work is common. In inpatient or residential settings, they may work evenings, nights or weekends[30]. The work is often stressful. Workloads can be large, resources may fall short of demand, and counselors may step in during crises or work with agitated clients[31].

Job outlook

BLS projects employment to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 533,400 to 631,400 jobs, a gain of 98,000[2]. For all occupations, the projected growth is 3.5%[3]. These counts include self-employed workers[2].

About 50,500 openings a year are projected on average[6]. Openings include jobs left by workers who retire or change occupations, not only new jobs[6]. Each year, 2.8% of workers leave the labor force and 4.2% move to a different occupation[32].

Is it a good fit?

Pay is above the all-occupations median, and projected growth is well above the average for all jobs[1][5][2][3]. The training path is long for mental health counseling, since it typically involves a master's degree, supervised clinical work and a license[7][18][19]. The work can be stressful[31]. For substance abuse and behavioral disorder roles, the entry education varies more by position and state[20].

Frequently asked questions

How much does a mental health counselor make an hour?
The median was $28.53 an hour in May 2025, and the average was $30.98[1][8].
What degree do you need to be a mental health counselor?
Mental health counselors typically need a master's degree[18]. BLS lists a master's degree as the typical entry education for the category[7].
Do mental health counselors need a license?
Yes. All states require mental health counselors to be licensed[19].
Is mental health counseling in demand?
Employment is projected to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, with about 50,500 openings a year[2][6].
What is the highest paying state for mental health counselors?
Alaska, with a median of $80,770 a year[13].

Facts and sources

  1. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the US was $59,350 per year and $28.53 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  2. BLS Employment Projections: employment of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is projected to grow 18.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 533,400 to 631,400 jobs (a change of +98,000). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
  3. BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
  4. BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: 10th percentile $38,940, 25th percentile $47,100, 75th percentile $76,530, 90th percentile $97,590. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  5. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  6. BLS Employment Projections: about 50,500 openings for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
  7. BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: education needed for entry: Master's degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: Internship/residency. BLS Employment Projections
  8. BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors was $64,440 per year and $30.98 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  9. BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: 10th percentile $18.72, 25th percentile $22.65, 75th percentile $36.80, 90th percentile $46.92. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  10. BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  11. BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  12. BLS Employment Projections: 5.4% of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
  13. Median annual wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  14. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (areas with at least 100 jobs): Fairbanks-College, AK $83,680; Anchorage, AK $81,120; San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $80,770; Albany, OR $78,910; Salem, OR $78,870; Bellingham, WA $77,620; Lincoln, NE $76,480; Las Cruces, NM $76,350. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  15. BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors jobs: California 75,610; Pennsylvania 30,620; Florida 29,750; New York 26,770; Texas 21,400. BLS OEWS, May 2025
  16. BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors jobs: Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 26,960 (median $51,910); New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 26,200 (median $61,020); Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN 15,580 (median $61,600); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 14,920 (median $58,140); Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH 11,150 (median $62,130); Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL 10,240 (median $57,290). BLS OEWS, May 2025
  17. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  18. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  19. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  20. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  21. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  22. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  23. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  24. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  25. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Other Experience. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  26. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  27. Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Important Qualities. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  28. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  29. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in 2025: Offices of other health practitioners 20%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  30. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  31. Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
  32. BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: 2.8% of workers leave the labor force each year and 4.2% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections

Notes are for reading the data only. They are not facts and cannot be cited: use the wage_scope and percentile_meaning facts instead. OEWS employment (jobs in May 2025) and Employment Projections employment (2025, includes self-employed) are different measures and can differ. O*NET education shares come from a small survey of workers in the occupation, not from all workers.