Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$35,010
- 25th Percentile — Junior$43,070
- 50th Percentile — Median$52,370
- 75th Percentile — Senior$65,070
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,420
Half of Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina earn more than $52,370. The top 10% make $81,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $35,010.
Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 45th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $55,880 per year (13.3% below the U.S. average of $64,440).
- 6,300 people work as Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina — 1.3% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
- Location quotient 0.86: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $35,010; the top 10% earn over $81,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $26.87 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
- Among social services jobs in South Carolina, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($70,140).
Mental Health Counselors Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $55,880 on average, placing the state 45th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $55,880 is roughly equivalent to $63,500 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Indiana ($57,920), Kentucky ($57,560), Delaware ($57,330) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $70,140/yr South Carolina +25.5% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $62,020/yr South Carolina +11.0% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $62,000/yr South Carolina +11.0% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $61,000/yr South Carolina +9.2% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $53,860/yr South Carolina 3.6% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $52,540/yr South Carolina 6.0% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $43,820/yr South Carolina 21.6% vs this role
- Social and Human Service Assistants $42,180/yr South Carolina 24.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in South Carolina?
The average Mental Health Counselors salary in South Carolina is $55,880 per year (median $52,370), which is 13.3% below the national average of $64,440.
How does South Carolina rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?
South Carolina ranks 45th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in South Carolina earn about $35,010 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,070.
How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in South Carolina?
About $26.87 per hour, based on the $55,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health Counselors work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 6,300 Mental Health Counselors jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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