BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Montana

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

$60,590 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$29.13 per hour

▼ 6.0% below U.S. average35th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$60,590per year
Median$59,000per year
Hourly$29.13per hour
10th – 90th percentile$36,840 – $83,640per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Montana

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$36,840
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$46,170
  • 50th Percentile — Median$59,000
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$74,010
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,640

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Montana earn more than $59,000. The top 10% make $83,640 or more, while entry-level workers start around $36,840.

Mental Health Counselors in Montana: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Montana ranks 35th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $60,590 per year (6.0% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 1,820 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Montana — 0.4% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.12: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Montana than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,840; the top 10% earn over $83,640.
  • Hourly equivalent: $29.13 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Montana, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($63,130).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Montana

Key factors affecting compensation

Montana's key industries are Agriculture, Tourism, Energy, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $60,590 on average, placing the state 35th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Montana salary of $60,590 is roughly equivalent to $63,779 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kansas ($61,820), Georgia ($61,310), Florida ($61,030) 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 Montana?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Montana is $60,590 per year (median $59,000), which is 6.0% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Montana rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Montana ranks 35th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Montana earn about $36,840 per year and the 25th percentile is $46,170.

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

About $29.13 per hour, based on the $60,590 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Montana?

BLS counts 1,820 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Montana (OEWS May 2025).

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