BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Maryland

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

$63,720 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$30.63 per hour

▼ 1.1% below U.S. average28th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$63,720per year
Median$59,530per year
Hourly$30.63per hour
10th – 90th percentile$44,050 – $91,980per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Maryland

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$44,050
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$50,030
  • 50th Percentile — Median$59,530
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$73,220
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$91,980

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Maryland earn more than $59,530. The top 10% make $91,980 or more, while entry-level workers start around $44,050.

Mental Health Counselors in Maryland: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Maryland ranks 28th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $63,720 per year (1.1% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 9,730 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Maryland — 2.0% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.11: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Maryland than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $44,050; the top 10% earn over $91,980.
  • Hourly equivalent: $30.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Maryland, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($106,630).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Maryland

Key factors affecting compensation

Maryland's key industries are Government, Healthcare, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $63,720 on average, placing the state 28th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Maryland salary of $63,720 is roughly equivalent to $55,409 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Texas ($65,180), Vermont ($64,890), Nevada ($64,350) 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 Maryland?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Maryland is $63,720 per year (median $59,530), which is 1.1% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Maryland rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Maryland ranks 28th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Maryland earn about $44,050 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,030.

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

About $30.63 per hour, based on the $63,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Maryland?

BLS counts 9,730 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Maryland (OEWS May 2025).

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