BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas

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

$58,480 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.12 per hour

▼ 9.2% below U.S. average40th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$58,480per year
Median$51,580per year
Hourly$28.12per hour
10th – 90th percentile$35,760 – $100,270per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Arkansas

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,760
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$38,940
  • 50th Percentile — Median$51,580
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$67,240
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,270

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas earn more than $51,580. The top 10% make $100,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,760.

Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Arkansas ranks 40th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $58,480 per year (9.2% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 2,570 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas — 0.5% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.62: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in Arkansas than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,760; the top 10% earn over $100,270.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.12 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Arkansas, Marriage and Family Therapists pays the most ($68,730).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Arkansas

Key factors affecting compensation

Arkansas's key industries are Agriculture, Retail, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $58,480 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.83 (U.S. = 1.00), a Arkansas salary of $58,480 is roughly equivalent to $70,458 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($60,090), Minnesota ($59,730), North Carolina ($59,160) 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 Arkansas?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Arkansas is $58,480 per year (median $51,580), which is 9.2% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Arkansas rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Arkansas ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas earn about $35,760 per year and the 25th percentile is $38,940.

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

About $28.12 per hour, based on the $58,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Arkansas?

BLS counts 2,570 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Arkansas (OEWS May 2025).

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