Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,060
- 25th Percentile — Junior$46,920
- 50th Percentile — Median$60,450
- 75th Percentile — Senior$83,570
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$107,980
Half of Mental Health Counselors in District of Columbia earn more than $60,450. The top 10% make $107,980 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,060.
Mental Health Counselors in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 10th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $69,180 per year (7.4% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
- 1,260 people work as Mental Health Counselors in District of Columbia — 0.3% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.57: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,060; the top 10% earn over $107,980.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.26 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
- Among social services jobs in District of Columbia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($109,310).
Mental Health Counselors Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $69,180 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $69,180 is roughly equivalent to $45,513 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Nebraska ($70,220), Hawaii ($70,050), Colorado ($69,860) 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
Other Social Services Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $109,310/yr District of Columbia +58.0% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $93,120/yr District of Columbia +34.6% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $83,340/yr District of Columbia +20.5% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $82,700/yr District of Columbia +19.5% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $79,540/yr District of Columbia +15.0% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $68,810/yr District of Columbia 0.5% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $63,780/yr District of Columbia 7.8% vs this role
- Social and Human Service Assistants $60,770/yr District of Columbia 12.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in District of Columbia?
The average Mental Health Counselors salary in District of Columbia is $69,180 per year (median $60,450), which is 7.4% above the national average of $64,440.
How does District of Columbia rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?
District of Columbia ranks 10th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in District of Columbia earn about $43,060 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,920.
How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $33.26 per hour, based on the $69,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health Counselors work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 1,260 Mental Health Counselors jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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