BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Georgia

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

$61,310 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.48 per hour

▼ 4.9% below U.S. average32nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$61,310per year
Median$58,960per year
Hourly$29.48per hour
10th – 90th percentile$37,390 – $90,980per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Georgia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,390
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$46,340
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,960
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$72,500
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$90,980

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Georgia earn more than $58,960. The top 10% make $90,980 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,390.

Mental Health Counselors in Georgia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Georgia ranks 32nd of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $61,310 per year (4.9% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 9,600 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Georgia — 2.0% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.62: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in Georgia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,390; the top 10% earn over $90,980.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.48 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Georgia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($102,140).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Georgia

Key factors affecting compensation

Georgia's key industries are Logistics, Film, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $61,310 on average, placing the state 32nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.93 (U.S. = 1.00), a Georgia salary of $61,310 is roughly equivalent to $65,925 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maryland ($63,720), Maine ($63,370), Oklahoma ($61,990) 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 Georgia?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Georgia is $61,310 per year (median $58,960), which is 4.9% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Georgia rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Georgia ranks 32nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Georgia earn about $37,390 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,340.

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

About $29.48 per hour, based on the $61,310 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Georgia?

BLS counts 9,600 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Georgia (OEWS May 2025).

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