📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release
Mental Health Counselor Salary in the United States (2026)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data · Updated 2026 · Very High Demand
Average
$53,710
per year
Median
$49,710
per year
Hourly
$25.82
per hour
Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,076
25th Percentile — Junior$45,342
50th Percentile — Median$49,710
75th Percentile — Senior$68,441
90th Percentile — Top Earners$77,133
💡 The top 10% of Mental Health Counselors earn $77,133 or more per year. Entry-level professionals can expect to start around $35,076, with significant growth over the first 5 years.
Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$41.7k
2021
$43.9k
2022
$46.1k
2023
$48.5k
2024
$51.1k
2025
$53.7k
2026
📈 Mental Health Counselor salaries have grown 5.2% year-over-year. Since 2020, the average salary has increased by approximately $12,025.
Salary by State
Geographic salary comparison
| State | Avg Salary | vs National | Demand |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $83,250 | +55.0% | Very High |
| District of Columbia | $81,639 | +52.0% | Very High |
| California | $76,268 | +42.0% | Very High |
| New York | $74,120 | +38.0% | Very High |
| Alaska | $70,897 | +32.0% | Very High |
| Massachusetts | $69,823 | +30.0% | Very High |
| New Jersey | $68,749 | +28.0% | Very High |
| Washington | $67,138 | +25.0% | Very High |
| Connecticut | $65,526 | +22.0% | Very High |
| Maryland | $61,766 | +15.0% | Very High |
| Rhode Island | $61,766 | +15.0% | Very High |
| New Hampshire | $61,229 | +14.0% | Very High |
| Oregon | $60,155 | +12.0% | Very High |
| Colorado | $59,081 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Virginia | $59,081 | +10.0% | Very High |
| Vermont | $58,007 | +8.0% | Very High |
| Delaware | $56,396 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Illinois | $56,396 | +5.0% | Very High |
| Maine | $54,784 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Nevada | $54,784 | +2.0% | Very High |
| Minnesota | $53,710 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Utah | $53,710 | +0.0% | Very High |
| Arizona | $53,173 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Pennsylvania | $53,173 | -1.0% | Very High |
| Florida | $52,636 | -2.0% | Very High |
| Montana | $51,024 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Texas | $51,024 | -5.0% | Very High |
| Georgia | $49,950 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Idaho | $49,950 | -7.0% | Very High |
| Wyoming | $49,950 | -7.0% | Very High |
| North Dakota | $49,413 | -8.0% | Very High |
| Wisconsin | $49,413 | -8.0% | Very High |
| North Carolina | $48,876 | -9.0% | Very High |
| Michigan | $48,339 | -10.0% | Very High |
| Louisiana | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Nebraska | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| New Mexico | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Ohio | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| South Carolina | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Tennessee | $47,265 | -12.0% | Very High |
| Alabama | $46,728 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Missouri | $46,728 | -13.0% | Very High |
| South Dakota | $46,728 | -13.0% | Very High |
| Iowa | $46,191 | -14.0% | Very High |
| Indiana | $45,654 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Kansas | $45,654 | -15.0% | Very High |
| Oklahoma | $45,116 | -16.0% | Very High |
| Arkansas | $44,579 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Kentucky | $44,579 | -17.0% | Very High |
| Mississippi | $42,968 | -20.0% | Very High |
| West Virginia | $41,894 | -22.0% | Very High |
What Factors Affect Mental Health Counselor Salary?
Key factors affecting compensation
A Mental Health Counselor's salary is influenced by several key factors including geographic location, years of experience, employer type, and educational background. States with higher costs of living — such as California, New York, and Washington — typically offer 20–40% higher salaries than the national average to compensate for living expenses.
Experience plays a major role in compensation. Entry-level Mental Health Counselors typically earn $35,076–$45,342 per year, while senior professionals with 10+ years of experience can command $68,441–$77,133 annually. Specialization and advanced certifications can further boost earning potential.
Employer size also matters. Large corporations and government agencies tend to offer more competitive packages including benefits, retirement plans, and bonuses. The Mental Health Counselor role currently has very high demand in the job market with a 5.2% growth rate, making it one of the most growing careers in the Healthcare sector.
🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
-
What is the average salary for a Mental Health Counselor?The average salary for a Mental Health Counselor in the United States is $53,710 per year, with a median of $49,710.
-
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health Counselor?Entry-level Mental Health Counselors typically earn between $35,076 and $45,342 per year depending on location and employer.
-
What state pays Mental Health Counselors the most?California, New York, and Washington typically pay Mental Health Counselors the highest salaries due to high cost of living and strong job markets.
-
How much does a Mental Health Counselor make per hour?Based on the average annual salary of $53,710, a Mental Health Counselor earns approximately $25.82 per hour (based on 2,080 working hours/year).
-
Is Mental Health Counselor a good career in 2026?Yes — the Mental Health Counselor role has very high demand with 5.2% year-over-year salary growth, indicating a strong and growing career path.
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