BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Louisiana

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

$45,030 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$21.65 per hour

▼ 30.1% below U.S. average51st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$45,030per year
Median$37,910per year
Hourly$21.65per hour
10th – 90th percentile$29,860 – $65,720per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Louisiana

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$29,860
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$33,970
  • 50th Percentile — Median$37,910
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$55,370
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$65,720

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Louisiana earn more than $37,910. The top 10% make $65,720 or more, while entry-level workers start around $29,860.

Mental Health Counselors in Louisiana: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Louisiana ranks 51st of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $45,030 per year (30.1% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 6,420 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Louisiana — 1.3% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.05: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Louisiana than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $29,860; the top 10% earn over $65,720.
  • Hourly equivalent: $21.65 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Louisiana, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($63,910).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Louisiana

Key factors affecting compensation

Louisiana's key industries are Energy, Tourism, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $45,030 on average, placing the state 51st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Louisiana salary of $45,030 is roughly equivalent to $51,170 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alabama ($54,200), West Virginia ($53,820), Tennessee ($53,720) 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 Louisiana?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Louisiana is $45,030 per year (median $37,910), which is 30.1% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Louisiana rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

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

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Louisiana earn about $29,860 per year and the 25th percentile is $33,970.

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

About $21.65 per hour, based on the $45,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Louisiana?

BLS counts 6,420 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Louisiana (OEWS May 2025).

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