BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts

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

$65,380 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$31.43 per hour

▲ 1.5% above U.S. average23rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$65,380per year
Median$59,890per year
Hourly$31.43per hour
10th – 90th percentile$43,180 – $96,200per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Massachusetts

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,180
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,540
  • 50th Percentile — Median$59,890
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$76,950
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$96,200

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts earn more than $59,890. The top 10% make $96,200 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,180.

Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Massachusetts ranks 23rd of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $65,380 per year (1.5% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 18,190 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts — 3.7% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.58: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Massachusetts than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,180; the top 10% earn over $96,200.
  • Hourly equivalent: $31.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Massachusetts, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($85,660).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Massachusetts

Key factors affecting compensation

Massachusetts's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $65,380 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.3 (U.S. = 1.00), a Massachusetts salary of $65,380 is roughly equivalent to $50,292 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($66,790), Wyoming ($66,770), Michigan ($65,430) 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 Massachusetts?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Massachusetts is $65,380 per year (median $59,890), which is 1.5% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Massachusetts rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Massachusetts ranks 23rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Massachusetts earn about $43,180 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,540.

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

About $31.43 per hour, based on the $65,380 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Massachusetts?

BLS counts 18,190 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Massachusetts (OEWS May 2025).

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