BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska

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

$70,220 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$33.76 per hour

▲ 9.0% above U.S. average6th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$70,220per year
Median$63,770per year
Hourly$33.76per hour
10th – 90th percentile$42,400 – $109,610per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Nebraska

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,400
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,040
  • 50th Percentile — Median$63,770
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$81,740
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$109,610

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska earn more than $63,770. The top 10% make $109,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $42,400.

Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Nebraska ranks 6th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $70,220 per year (9.0% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 2,170 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska — 0.4% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.67: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in Nebraska than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,400; the top 10% earn over $109,610.
  • Hourly equivalent: $33.76 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Nebraska, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($68,570).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Nebraska

Key factors affecting compensation

Nebraska's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $70,220 on average, placing the state 6th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Nebraska salary of $70,220 is roughly equivalent to $79,795 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Mexico ($76,370), Oregon ($75,540), Washington ($75,020) 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 Nebraska?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Nebraska is $70,220 per year (median $63,770), which is 9.0% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Nebraska rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Nebraska ranks 6th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Nebraska earn about $42,400 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,040.

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

About $33.76 per hour, based on the $70,220 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Nebraska?

BLS counts 2,170 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Nebraska (OEWS May 2025).

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