BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Ohio

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

$60,090 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$28.89 per hour

▼ 6.8% below U.S. average36th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$60,090per year
Median$58,360per year
Hourly$28.89per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,010 – $83,730per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Ohio

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,010
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,660
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,360
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$68,850
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$83,730

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Ohio earn more than $58,360. The top 10% make $83,730 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,010.

Mental Health Counselors in Ohio: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Ohio ranks 36th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $60,090 per year (6.8% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 18,020 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Ohio — 3.7% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.03: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Ohio than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,010; the top 10% earn over $83,730.
  • Hourly equivalent: $28.89 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Ohio, Marriage and Family Therapists pays the most ($86,810).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Ohio

Key factors affecting compensation

Ohio's key industries are Manufacturing, Healthcare, Retail, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $60,090 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Ohio salary of $60,090 is roughly equivalent to $68,284 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Georgia ($61,310), Florida ($61,030), Missouri ($60,670) 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 Ohio?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Ohio is $60,090 per year (median $58,360), which is 6.8% below the national average of $64,440.

How does Ohio rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Ohio ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Ohio earn about $39,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,660.

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

About $28.89 per hour, based on the $60,090 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Ohio?

BLS counts 18,020 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Ohio (OEWS May 2025).

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