The American Counseling Association (ACA) defines the occupation as: “Professional counseling is a professional relationship that empowers diverse individuals, families, and groups to accomplish mental health, wellness, education, and career goals”—a definition agreed upon by 31 counseling organizations to strengthen, unify, and advance the field.
What are the most common types of mental health counseling? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the same occupational category, but their daily responsibilities vary since the word “counseling” includes mental health support for general or specific populations.
Depending on their specialization, mental health counselors may work one-on-one or in groups with people struggling with substance abuse, in schools with youth who are grappling with issues related to behavior, or in a general practice setting as a mental health counselor seeing adults or teenagers.
The future is bright for mental health counselors and occupational statistics show that job growth is trending high. There are 440,380 mental health counselors employed, and the BLS (2025) predicts that careers in this field will increase by 19 percent between 2023 and 2033, a rate that is much faster than the national average for all occupations in the same time period (4 percent). Those craving a future career in helping people cope with the stresses of everyday life can be relatively confident that there will be job opportunities. In fact, the BLS (2024) estimates 84,500 new positions are expected to be created nationally in the next decade.
What’s the salary range for helping people cope with life’s challenges? Below is a percentile breakdown for how much mental health counselors and substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors are paid annually, according to the BLS (May 2024)—the latest data available as of April 2025:
- Mean annual wage: $65,100
- 10th percentile: $39,090
- 25th percentile: $47,170
- 50th percentile (median): $59,190
- 75th percentile: $76,230
- 90th percentile: $98,210
By contrast, PayScale.com (April 2025), an aggregator of self-reported salary data, shows salary data specifically for mental health counselors. Comparing this data collected from 1,667 mental health counselors, Payscale found that not surprisingly, entry-level workers earn lower annual salaries while experienced and late-career workers earn more:
- Entry-level (0-1 years): $49,049 average annual salary
- Early career (1-4 years): $50,430
- Mid-career (5-9 years): $57,714
- Experienced (10-19): $67,075
- Late-career (20 or more years): $62,129
As always, education is a key component when considering earning potential. While the BLS classifies mental health counselors, substance abuse counselors, and behavioral disorder counselors as one occupation, O*Net Online, a data resource sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, illustrates the minimum requirements for each occupation. Sixty-four percent of mental health counselors have a master’s degree. By comparison, only 41 percent of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors have a master’s degree.
And while O*Net Online’s median annual salary data for all three position titles is the same at $53,710, it can be assumed that positions requiring advanced degrees and a state license to practice will earn higher salaries.
Where do mental health counselors work? Places of employment vary for mental health counselors, but those working in private practice must have a master’s degree and a state license.
All 50 states require those working in private practice to have a master’s degree and 2,000 to 4,000 hours of supervised clinical experience. Those specializing in substance abuse or behavioral disorder counseling may have different educational and licensure requirements. Mental health counselors work in a wide variety of public and private settings, which are detailed below.
Beyond financial compensation, those considering a career in mental health counseling may wonder: what’s it like to go to work every day? The U.S. News & World Report (2025) ranks mental health counselors as the ninth-best social service job and ranks the position number 87 on the list of 100 best jobs.
While the stress levels are high due to the challenging nature of this work and heavy caseloads, USNWR also shows that opportunities for advancement and higher salaries are above average. Testimonials from PayScale.com support this, showing that most mental health counselors are highly satisfied with their jobs. Nearly 100 people collectively scored this occupation as a 3.65 out of 5, saying that some of the best parts of their jobs are working with other mental health professionals and helping clients cope with life’s challenges.
For those looking for a rewarding and challenging full-time career, read on to learn more about the top-paying states for mental health counselors and additional resources.
Top-Paying States for Mental Health Counselors
Below is a list of the states with the highest salaries for mental health counselors as reported by the BLS, as well as the number of employed mental health counselors in each state. States on this list pay annual mean salaries between $72,530 and $88,870 per year (BLS May 2024).
| State | Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors | Annual mean wage (May 2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | 1,060 | $88,870 |
| New Jersey | 14,640 | $75,900 |
| Hawaii | 1,580 | $75,610 |
| Oregon | 6,410 | $72,860 |
| California | 63,110 | $72,530 |
It’s important to keep in mind that salary data often correlates with the cost of living which varies widely across the United States. MERIC (Missouri Economic Research and Information Center) 2024 shows the cost of living data for states including the average costs for housing, groceries, utilities, and transportation.
Top-Paying Specializations for Mental Health Counselors
As previously mentioned, mental health counselors can specialize in a wide-range of unique skill sets to serve their clients’ needs. Here’s a list of five mental health counseling specializations and their salaries from PayScale.com April 2025:
| Specialization | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| Clinical supervision | $59,000 |
| Clinical psychology | $58,736 |
| Cognitive Behavioral Therapy | $56,397 |
| Diagnosis and treatment planning | $54,189 |
| Clinical assessment | $53,494 |
Through 2024, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported on essentially all aspects of employment and wage data. Their data included the actual amounts of wages paid, as shown above, but also the number of individuals employed, often by specialty, the geographical areas and industries that hire the most individuals, and the top-paying areas and industries, as well as other relevant data.
As of April 2025, the BLS has not released current analyses. For professionals considering career opportunities or relocating, data is available from other sources.
O*Net Online has a wealth of information, including a searchable database of wages, employment, projected growth, trends, and top industries. Keep in mind their statistics are generally based on BLS data, so it may not always be current. O*Net also maintains a searchable database of job openings for each state.
CareerOnStop is another source of information nationwide and by state. Their searchable databases include wages and employment for specialties, licensing requirements, and job search tips. They also include resources for job seekers grouped into categories such as new graduates, disabled individuals, and 55+, among others.
PayScale also compiles information about pay rates in major metropolitan areas.
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has written about integrating contemplative movement practices such as yoga into healthcare professions since 2019, promoting the idea that mental and physical well-being are critical components of effective patient care and self-care in the high-stress world of healthcare.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.