BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico

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

$76,370 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$36.72 per hour

▲ 18.5% above U.S. average2nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$76,370per year
Median$74,100per year
Hourly$36.72per hour
10th – 90th percentile$48,900 – $113,420per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in New Mexico

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,900
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$60,300
  • 50th Percentile — Median$74,100
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$89,800
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$113,420

Half of Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico earn more than $74,100. The top 10% make $113,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,900.

Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • New Mexico ranks 2nd of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $76,370 per year (18.5% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 2,420 people work as Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico — 0.5% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.88: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in New Mexico than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,900; the top 10% earn over $113,420.
  • Hourly equivalent: $36.72 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in New Mexico, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($75,480).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in New Mexico

Key factors affecting compensation

New Mexico's key industries are Government, Energy, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $76,370 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Mexico salary of $76,370 is roughly equivalent to $86,784 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($86,500), 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 New Mexico?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in New Mexico is $76,370 per year (median $74,100), which is 18.5% above the national average of $64,440.

How does New Mexico rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

New Mexico ranks 2nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico earn about $48,900 per year and the 25th percentile is $60,300.

How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in New Mexico?

About $36.72 per hour, based on the $76,370 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in New Mexico?

BLS counts 2,420 Mental Health Counselors jobs in New Mexico (OEWS May 2025).

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