BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Colorado

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

$69,860 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$33.59 per hour

▲ 8.4% above U.S. average8th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$69,860per year
Median$62,390per year
Hourly$33.59per hour
10th – 90th percentile$44,060 – $100,020per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Colorado

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,060
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$49,920
  • 50th Percentile — Median$62,390
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$80,980
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,020

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Colorado earn more than $62,390. The top 10% make $100,020 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,060.

Mental Health Counselors in Colorado: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Colorado ranks 8th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $69,860 per year (8.4% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 14,920 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Colorado — 3.0% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.64: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,060; the top 10% earn over $100,020.
  • Hourly equivalent: $33.59 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Colorado, Marriage and Family Therapists pays the most ($80,100).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Colorado

Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $69,860 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $69,860 is roughly equivalent to $63,509 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($75,020), New Jersey ($71,360), Nebraska ($70,220) 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 Colorado?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Colorado is $69,860 per year (median $62,390), which is 8.4% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Colorado rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Colorado ranks 8th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Colorado earn about $44,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,920.

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

About $33.59 per hour, based on the $69,860 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Colorado?

BLS counts 14,920 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).

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