BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health Counselors in Texas

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

$65,180 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$31.34 per hour

▲ 1.1% above U.S. average24th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$65,180per year
Median$62,630per year
Hourly$31.34per hour
10th – 90th percentile$37,650 – $95,910per year

Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Texas

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,650
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$45,290
  • 50th Percentile — Median$62,630
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$79,200
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,910

Half of Mental Health Counselors in Texas earn more than $62,630. The top 10% make $95,910 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,650.

Mental Health Counselors in Texas: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Texas ranks 24th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $65,180 per year (1.1% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
  • 21,400 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Texas — 4.4% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.48: Mental Health Counselors jobs are less concentrated in Texas than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,650; the top 10% earn over $95,910.
  • Hourly equivalent: $31.34 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
  • Among social services jobs in Texas, Healthcare Social Workers pays the most ($69,990).

Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Texas

Key factors affecting compensation

Texas's key industries are Energy, Technology, Healthcare, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $65,180 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.95 (U.S. = 1.00), a Texas salary of $65,180 is roughly equivalent to $68,611 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($66,770), Michigan ($65,430), Virginia ($65,430) 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 Texas?

The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Texas is $65,180 per year (median $62,630), which is 1.1% above the national average of $64,440.

How does Texas rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?

Texas ranks 24th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Texas earn about $37,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,290.

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

About $31.34 per hour, based on the $65,180 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health Counselors work in Texas?

BLS counts 21,400 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Texas (OEWS May 2025).

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