Mental Health Counselors Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,220
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,280
- 50th Percentile — Median$68,910
- 75th Percentile — Senior$90,970
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$110,580
Half of Mental Health Counselors in Washington earn more than $68,910. The top 10% make $110,580 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,220.
Mental Health Counselors in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 4th of 51 states for Mental Health Counselors pay, at $75,020 per year (16.4% above the U.S. average of $64,440).
- 14,250 people work as Mental Health Counselors in Washington — 2.9% of all U.S. Mental Health Counselors jobs.
- Location quotient 1.27: Mental Health Counselors jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,220; the top 10% earn over $110,580.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.07 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $86,500.
- Among social services jobs in Washington, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($87,680).
Mental Health Counselors Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health Counselors here earn $75,020 on average, placing the state 4th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $75,020 is roughly equivalent to $60,016 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($86,500), New Mexico ($76,370), Oregon ($75,540) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $87,680/yr Washington +16.9% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $81,040/yr Washington +8.0% vs this role
- Health Education Specialists $77,130/yr Washington +2.8% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $74,100/yr Washington 1.2% vs this role
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $71,710/yr Washington 4.4% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $68,080/yr Washington 9.3% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $62,270/yr Washington 17.0% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $59,800/yr Washington 20.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health Counselors salary in Washington?
The average Mental Health Counselors salary in Washington is $75,020 per year (median $68,910), which is 16.4% above the national average of $64,440.
How does Washington rank for Mental Health Counselors pay?
Washington ranks 4th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($86,500/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health Counselors make in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health Counselors in Washington earn about $47,220 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,280.
How much do Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Washington?
About $36.07 per hour, based on the $75,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health Counselors work in Washington?
BLS counts 14,250 Mental Health Counselors jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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