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National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
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The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Master's degree
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Internship/residency
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Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in a field that combines strong projected demand with a clearly defined educational path. National employment is 484,000, and the occupation is expected to grow by 16.8%, with about 48,000 openings per year. That mix of a large existing workforce and substantial projected growth suggests many opportunities for both new entrants and experienced professionals. National median annual pay is $59,190, with variation across states and metro areas for those who are flexible about location. The work draws heavily on interpersonal, speaking and listening, and adaptability skills, and also values writing and reading, customer service, critical and analytical thinking, and leadership. Typical entry into the role requires a master’s degree, which can help prepare you for the communication, analytical, and project management demands of the job. For people considering related paths, similar occupations include several types of social workers, counselors, and community and social service specialists.
Nationally, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $59,190. Pay varies meaningfully by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $59,250 in California and $59,450 in New York to $59,890 in Massachusetts, $62,390 in Colorado, and $68,910 in Washington. This shows that some states offer higher median pay than the national level. At the metro level, salary variation is even more noticeable. The San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA metro reports a median salary of $72,550, while San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA is $68,400 and Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV is $65,270. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ has a median of $61,020, and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH comes in at $62,130. Counselors who are open to relocating may be able to target areas with stronger earning potential.
This occupation combines a large existing employment base with notable projected expansion. Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors have national employment of 484,000. Looking ahead, projected employment growth of 16.8% indicates that the number of roles is expected to increase significantly over the forecast period. In addition to growth, the occupation is projected to have about 48,000 annual openings. These openings can come from new positions created as well as turnover in existing roles. Together, the sizable current workforce, strong projected percentage growth, and substantial number of yearly openings point to a dynamic labor market with frequent opportunities for new graduates, career changers, and experienced counselors seeking advancement or relocation. For those exploring related paths within community and social services, similar occupations include mental health and substance abuse social workers, several “all other” counselor and social worker categories, and healthcare social workers.
Location plays a major role in opportunity for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors, with several states and metros standing out. Among states, California leads in employment with 75,610 counselors and a median salary of $59,250, paired with an opportunity score of 67.38. Massachusetts and New York also show strong opportunity scores (65.87 and 65.78) with median salaries near $60,000 and employment of 18,190 and 26,770 respectively. Colorado and Washington combine moderate employment (14,920 and 14,250) with higher median salaries of $62,390 and $68,910 and opportunity scores in the mid‑50s. At the metro level, San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CA ranks highest by opportunity score (77.42) and has the top median salary of $72,550, though employment is comparatively smaller at 2,550. New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ has a similarly high opportunity score of 77.27 with 26,200 employed. Other strong metros include San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont, CA; Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WV; and Boston–Cambridge–Newton, MA–NH.
The typical education for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is a master’s degree. This advanced level of education aligns with the broad skill profile associated with the role. Strong interpersonal skills and speaking and listening abilities are central, reflecting the importance of direct interaction. Writing and reading are also key, supporting documentation and communication. The role values adaptability, creativity and innovation, and customer service, indicating a need to adjust to different people and situations. Critical and analytical thinking are important for assessing information and making reasoned judgments, while leadership and project management skills support organizing work and guiding efforts over time. Comfort with computers and information technology is also listed among the top skills. Together, these skill areas suggest that a master’s program preparing for this occupation will likely emphasize communication, analysis, relationship building, and organized, technology-supported work processes, equipping graduates for the diverse demands of counseling settings.
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