BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota

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

$67,940 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$32.66 per hour

▲ 5.4% above U.S. average17th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$67,940per year
Median$68,630per year
Hourly$32.66per hour
10th – 90th percentile$43,270 – $86,630per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in North Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,270
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$55,450
  • 50th Percentile — Median$68,630
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$77,320
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$86,630

Half of Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota earn more than $68,630. The top 10% make $86,630 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,270.

Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • North Dakota ranks 17th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $67,940 per year (5.4% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 1,290 people work as Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.95: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in North Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,270; the top 10% earn over $86,630.
  • Hourly equivalent: $32.66 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in North Dakota, Rehabilitation Counselors pays the most ($65,880).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in North Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

North Dakota's key industries are Energy, Agriculture, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $67,940 on average, placing the state 17th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.92 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Dakota salary of $67,940 is roughly equivalent to $73,848 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($68,530), Connecticut ($68,450), Wisconsin ($68,280) 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 North Dakota?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in North Dakota is $67,940 per year (median $68,630), which is 5.4% above the national average of $64,440.

How does North Dakota rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

North Dakota ranks 17th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota earn about $43,270 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,450.

How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in North Dakota?

About $32.66 per hour, based on the $67,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in North Dakota?

BLS counts 1,290 Mental Health Counselors jobs in North Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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