BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Rhode Island

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

$68,600 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$32.98 per hour

▲ 6.5% above U.S. average12th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$68,600per year
Median$65,120per year
Hourly$32.98per hour
10th – 90th percentile$43,960 – $98,440per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Rhode Island

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$43,960
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,470
  • 50th Percentile — Median$65,120
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$79,300
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,440

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Rhode Island earn more than $65,120. The top 10% make $98,440 or more, while entry-level workers start around $43,960.

Mental Health Counselors in Rhode Island: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Rhode Island ranks 12th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $68,600 per year (6.5% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 2,170 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Rhode Island — 0.4% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.37: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Rhode Island than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $43,960; the top 10% earn over $98,440.
  • Hourly equivalent: $32.98 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Rhode Island, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays the most ($76,970).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Rhode Island

Key factors affecting compensation

Rhode Island's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health Counselors here earn $68,600 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Rhode Island salary of $68,600 is roughly equivalent to $59,652 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Colorado ($69,860), Utah ($69,370), District of Columbia ($69,180) 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 Rhode Island?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Rhode Island is $68,600 per year (median $65,120), which is 6.5% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Rhode Island rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Rhode Island ranks 12th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Rhode Island earn about $43,960 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,470.

How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Rhode Island?

About $32.98 per hour, based on the $68,600 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Rhode Island?

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

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