BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Alaska

BLS occupation: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018)

$86,500 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$41.59 per hour

▲ 34.2% above U.S. average1st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$86,500per year
Median$80,770per year
Hourly$41.59per hour
10th – 90th percentile$58,240 – $114,650per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Alaska

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$58,240
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$65,710
  • 50th Percentile — Median$80,770
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$97,960
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$114,650

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Alaska earn more than $80,770. The top 10% make $114,650 or more, while entry-level workers start around $58,240.

Mental Health Counselors in Alaska: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Alaska ranks 1st of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $86,500 per year (34.2% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 1,290 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Alaska — 0.3% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.26: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Alaska than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $58,240; the top 10% earn over $114,650.
  • Hourly equivalent: $41.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • Among social services jobs in Alaska, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($79,910).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Alaska

Key factors affecting compensation

Alaska's key industries are Energy, Fishing, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $86,500 on average, placing the state 1st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.32 (U.S. = 1.00), a Alaska salary of $86,500 is roughly equivalent to $65,530 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($76,370), Oregon ($75,540), Washington ($75,020) are the closest alternatives for Mental Health Counselors weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in Alaska?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Alaska is $86,500 per year (median $80,770), which is 34.2% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Alaska rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Alaska ranks 1st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in Alaska?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Alaska earn about $58,240 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,710.

How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Alaska?

About $41.59 per hour, based on the $86,500 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Alaska?

BLS counts 1,290 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Alaska (OEWS May 2025).

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