Counseling: What You’ll Earn

Read about salary and job outlook predictions for counselors.

Median Annual Salary

It’s estimated that one in four Americans is affected by mental health issues each year. Choosing counseling as a career means that you’ll face numerous challenges and opportunities—but the social, personal, and financial rewards could also be great. Here are median salaries and job growth data for mental health counselors, as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021 Occupational Employment Statistics.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

National data

Median Salary: $48,520

Projected job growth: 22.1%

10th Percentile: $30,870

25th Percentile: $38,520

75th Percentile: $61,660

90th Percentile: $77,980

Projected job growth: 22.1%

State data

State	Median Salary	Bottom 10%	Top 10%
Alabama	$38,830	$29,430	$61,140
Alaska	$61,040	$37,440	$97,740
Arizona	$48,930	$36,940	$76,630
Arkansas	$38,660	$27,520	$77,510
California	$49,630	$36,750	$98,560
Colorado	$49,630	$36,330	$80,580
Connecticut	$48,900	$36,330	$81,610
Delaware	$46,910	$30,730	$63,340
District of Columbia	$60,600	$31,370	$96,870
Florida	$46,680	$30,130	$76,880
Georgia	$44,080	$30,320	$63,310
Hawaii	$51,060	$38,000	$80,580
Idaho	$49,360	$30,690	$79,420
Illinois	$47,640	$35,100	$80,030
Indiana	$46,230	$30,640	$76,090
Iowa	$47,730	$30,090	$77,460
Kansas	$48,330	$30,810	$63,460
Kentucky	$44,250	$28,820	$62,870
Louisiana	$37,510	$25,290	$59,460
Maine	$48,960	$30,840	$100,040
Maryland	$55,480	$36,650	$78,310
Massachusetts	$48,960	$37,070	$78,540
Michigan	$48,820	$31,800	$76,650
Minnesota	$48,980	$37,960	$65,510
Mississippi	$37,580	$23,700	$62,670
Missouri	$38,920	$26,140	$60,310
Montana	$46,790	$24,510	$63,800
Nebraska	$49,370	$30,640	$78,700
Nevada	$59,940	$30,640	$95,790
New Hampshire	$46,640	$30,720	$68,520
New Jersey	$60,000	$44,470	$92,620
New Mexico	$56,750	$36,230	$96,710
New York	$49,650	$31,310	$78,940
North Carolina	$48,640	$29,960	$76,670
North Dakota	$60,920	$36,750	$76,720
Ohio	$47,510	$30,600	$76,950
Oklahoma	$47,500	$29,200	$76,720
Oregon	$59,060	$37,140	$94,800
Pennsylvania	$46,790	$30,690	$75,060
Rhode Island	$60,300	$31,990	$97,740
South Carolina	$38,110	$28,580	$73,730
South Dakota	$39,070	$30,970	$61,330
Tennessee	$37,700	$27,780	$61,380
Texas	$46,470	$29,360	$76,670
Utah	$60,460	$30,690	$101,100
Vermont	$47,320	$38,360	$63,340
Virginia	$48,820	$36,750	$76,670
Washington	$49,360	$37,070	$78,090
West Virginia	$38,100	$29,530	$60,340
Wisconsin	$48,100	$32,770	$76,650
Wyoming	$60,130	$38,830	$96,440

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2021 median salary; projected job growth through 2031. Actual salaries vary depending on location, level of education, years of experience, work environment, and other factors. Salaries may differ even more for those who are self-employed or work part time.

How do counselor salaries compare?

Career	Median Annual Salary
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$48,520
Rehabilitation Counselors	$38,560
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$60,510
Counselors, All Other	$45,160

What is my earning potential?

Job prospects and salary are dependent on the counseling type, as well as degree and certification level. Typically, counselors who work at local or state government agencies are paid the highest counselor salary, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), followed by hospitals and then residential care facilities. Counselors who have established private practices, as well as counselors employed in a group practice, had the highest counseling psychology salary of all other industries that employed a counselor’s services

Is there demand for this career?

According to the BLS, the demand for mental health counselors is expected to grow by 22.1% through 2031, much faster than the average for all occupations. National long-term projections of employment growth may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions, and do not guarantee actual job growth.

What is the job growth for the field?

Marriage and family therapists are expected to see an increase in employment opportunities at a rate of 13.9% as well. Take a look at how some of the other counseling occupations compare as far as job growth:

Job Growth Outlook Comparison Through 2031

Mental Health Counselors—22.1%
Marriage and Family Therapists—13.9%
Social Workers—9%
School Counselors—9.6%
Rehabilitation Counselors—10.5%

How much competition will I face for a job?

Despite promising job growth reports and the vital role that counselors play in society, competition may be strong for jobs as growth may be offset by budgets. Counseling programs are often some of the first programs that are reduced when school budgets are cut, according to the U.S. News and World Report article, “A Numbers Game for High School Counselors.” Counseling jobs may also face budget constraints in government and social services organizations, making competition for in-demand jobs stiffer.

What kinds of companies hire counselors?

Counselors who are not in private practice are often found in the following industries:

Public and private clinics
Detention facilities
Hospitals
Nursing homes
Rehabilitation centers
Schools
Universities
Government agencies
Social service organizations

In the private sector, counselors and mental health professionals practice in businesses where people are the primary focus. By understanding the needs of people and organizations, professional counselors can help employers hire and keep the best employees.

Community counselors play a similar type of role, only instead of counseling a company, they work within the community. They assess the needs of a community in areas such as crime reduction, better food sources or housing needs.

How do I advance in my counselor career?

Professional development through continuing education is an important factor for advancement in a counseling career. With advanced degrees and continuing education and experience, some counselors may advance to positions such as head counselor, or move into administrative roles in any number of industries.

Another way to advance is to get certified, and most states require counselors to be certified or licensed. The National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) grants a general practice credential, National Certified Counselor (NCC), to counselors who have passed their examination, have completed a graduate degree and have two years of fieldwork under their belt.

Earning certification or licensure shows potential employers that you are a qualified and accomplished professional in your chosen career, and may play a role in employment decisions or promotions.