BLS national median · SOC 21-1018
$59,190
$28.46/hr · 2,080 hrs/yr
#75 · Social & counseling
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors Salary
BLS OEWS May 2024 national median $59,190 ($28.46/hr on 2,080 hours). SOC 21-1018. Modeled 2026 take-home, training context, and career comparisons below.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
Texas take-home at median
$49,739
16.0% effective
California take-home at median
$47,280
20.1% effective
Key takeaways — Mental health counselors
- Substance abuse, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors ranks #75 of 92 on this hub with a $59,190 BLS May 2024 national median ($28.46/hr).
- Modeled Texas take-home at that median: $49,739 (16.0% effective employee levy rate). California: $47,280.
- One rank above: Firefighters at $59,530 (+$340).
- Bonuses, equity, overtime, and self-employment income are outside BLS OEWS cash-wage medians.
About Substance abuse, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage estimates (May 2024) by Standard Occupational Classification code. For Substance abuse, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors (SOC 21-1018), the national median annual wage is $59,190 — meaning half of workers in this occupation earn more and half earn less across the United States.
We convert that median to an hourly equivalent using 2,080 full-time hours per year, then apply our 2026 US paycheck model so you see modeled take-home, not just gross. That bridges BLS labor-market statistics with the same tax rules as our state calculators.
Use the compare tool to pit Mental health counselors against another career, or open the paycheck calculator to model an offer above or below the published median.
Social & counseling · rank context
Mental health counselors sits at rank #75 between Firefighters (#74, $59,530) and Paramedics (#76, $58,410).
Training & licensing context
Social workers and counselors usually need bachelor's or master's degrees plus state licensure. Medians span public agencies, hospitals, and private practice.
Take-home at BLS median by state
Single filer, standard deduction, federal + state where applicable, employee payroll — gross equals the published BLS median.
| State | Take-home | Effective rate |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | $49,739 | 16.0% |
| California | $47,280 | 20.1% |
| New York | $47,109 | 20.4% |
| Florida | $49,739 | 16.0% |
Myths vs facts
Myth: Every Mental health counselors job pays the BLS median.
Fact: The median is a national midpoint. Entry roles, part-time schedules, and low-COL markets sit below; senior specialists in high-demand metros sit above.
Myth: Take-home at median is what you will net.
Fact: Our columns use a single-filer vignette at the BLS gross median. Marriage, dependents, 401(k), HSA, and local taxes change your actual paycheck.
Salary planning checklist
- Confirm the posting matches SOC 21-1018 (Substance abuse, behavioral disorder & mental health counselors)
- Compare Texas vs California take-home if relocation is on the table
- Read BLS percentile tables when published for this occupation
- Use metro paycheck examples when the employer names a city
- Model your exact gross in the US paycheck calculator
Common mistakes
- ✕Treating $59,190 as a universal offer for all experience levels
- ✕Ignoring licensing and training years when comparing to lower-medians with shorter paths
- ✕Skipping state tax when comparing two offers at similar gross medians
Mental health counselors salary FAQs
BLS OEWS May 2024 lists a $59,190 national median (SOC 21-1018) — about $28.46/hr on a 2,080-hour year.
Modeled single-filer take-home at the BLS median: Texas $49,739, California $47,280, New York $47,109, Florida $49,739 (2026 rules).
#75 of 92 occupations on this hub by BLS national median wage.
Firefighters ranks #74 at $59,530 — $340 above Mental health counselors.
Paramedics ranks #76 at $58,410 — $780 below.
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