The Salary of Substance Abuse & Behavioral Disorder Counselors
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors help people with addictions to drugs, alcohol and tobacco. They also provide counseling to people with eating disorders, gambling problems and other types of behavioral disorders that affect their quality of life. Counselors help develop personal recovery programs for individuals, as well as counsel families affected by their loved ones' addictions or disorders.
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National Data
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The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates the median salary of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors at $37,700 per year in 2009, up from $37,030 the previous year. Fifty percent of the counselors employed as of May, 2009 earned between $29,860 and $48,060 per year. The lowest paid counselors earned $24,580 per year or less. The highest paid in the profession earned an annual salary of $60,060. The average annual salary for this profession was $40,420. Employment is expected to grow faster than average for all jobs nationwide through 2018.
Industry Information
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The top-paying industry for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors is elementary and secondary schools, with an average annual salary of $60,780 and $29.22 per hour. Colleges, universities and professional schools make up the second-highest paying industry, with average pay of $25.92 per hour and $53,900 per year. Counselors at the junior college level earn $24.53 per hour, or $51,020 a year. Those employed in the scientific research and development industry earn an average annual wage of $46,730.
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State Information
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Hawaii is the highest-paying state for counselors, with an average hourly wage of $27.08, or $56,320 per year. Counselors in New Jersey earn $26.43 per hour, or $54,970 per year. In Utah and Maine, the third and fourth-highest paying states, substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors earn $46,440 to $46,760 per year. Vermont, where the average annual salary is $40,960, employs the most counselors per thousand workers. Other states with high concentrations of counselors include South Dakota, New Jersey, Montana and Pennsylvania.
Metropolitan Areas
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The Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey area is the highest-paying metropolitan area in the United States. The estimated 300 counselors employed in this area as of May, 2009, earned an average annual wage of $64,770. Bangor, Maine counselors earn $61,980 per year. Newark-Union, New Jersey-Pennsylvania is the third-highest paying metro area, with average annual earnings at $61,470. The metropolitan areas employing the most counselors per thousand workers are Idaho Falls, Idaho, with average earnings at $36,470 per year; Elmira, New York, with annual earnings of $38,860; and Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, Virginia, where counselors earn $39,050.
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References
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