Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,730
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,390
- 50th Percentile — Median$59,880
- 75th Percentile — Senior$77,870
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,040
Half of Mental Health Counselors in Virginia earn more than $59,880. The top 10% make $100,040 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,730.
Mental Health Counselors in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 22nd of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $65,430 per year (1.5% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
- 17,940 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Virginia — 3.6% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
- Location quotient 1.38: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,730; the top 10% earn over $100,040.
- Hourly equivalent: $31.46 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
- Among social services jobs in Virginia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($75,640).
Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $65,430 on average, placing the state 22nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $65,430 is roughly equivalent to $59,482 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($66,900), Iowa ($66,790), Wyoming ($66,770) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $75,640/yr Virginia +15.6% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $74,850/yr Virginia +14.4% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $72,020/yr Virginia +10.1% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $71,920/yr Virginia +9.9% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $69,390/yr Virginia +6.1% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $66,500/yr Virginia +1.6% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $56,260/yr Virginia 14.0% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $54,280/yr Virginia 17.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in Virginia?
The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Virginia is $65,430 per year (median $59,880), which is 1.5% above the national average of $64,440.
How does Virginia rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?
Virginia ranks 22nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Virginia earn about $39,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,390.
How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Virginia?
About $31.46 per hour, based on the $65,430 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health Counselors work in Virginia?
BLS counts 17,940 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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