Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,440
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,100
- 50th Percentile — Median$55,490
- 75th Percentile — Senior$68,610
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,010
Half of Mental Health Counselors in North Carolina earn more than $55,490. The top 10% make $86,010 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,440.
Mental Health Counselors in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 38th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $59,160 per year (8.2% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
- 10,300 people work as Mental Health Counselors in North Carolina — 2.1% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.66: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,440; the top 10% earn over $86,010.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.44 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
- Among social services jobs in North Carolina, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($65,570).
Mental Health Counselors Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $59,160 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $59,160 is roughly equivalent to $65,011 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($60,670), Montana ($60,590), Ohio ($60,090) 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
Other Social Services Jobs in North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $65,570/yr North Carolina +10.8% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $64,720/yr North Carolina +9.4% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $59,880/yr North Carolina +1.2% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $59,660/yr North Carolina +0.8% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $57,090/yr North Carolina 3.5% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $56,710/yr North Carolina 4.1% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $50,160/yr North Carolina 15.2% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $45,010/yr North Carolina 23.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in North Carolina?
The average Mental Health Counselors salary in North Carolina is $59,160 per year (median $55,490), which is 8.2% below the national average of $64,440.
How does North Carolina rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?
North Carolina ranks 38th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in North Carolina earn about $37,440 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,100.
How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in North Carolina?
About $28.44 per hour, based on the $59,160 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health Counselors work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 10,300 Mental Health Counselors jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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