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Salary comparison

Clergy vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?

Clergy out-earn Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by $1K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Clergy land at $60,810 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: clergy programs typically require master's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Clergy is Washington ($80,830); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors it's Alaska ($80,770).

Clergy
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median salary
$60,810
$59,350
Hourly rate
$29.24/hr
$28.53/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$37,860
$38,940
Senior level (90th %)
$98,890
$97,590
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
57,200
491,930
Job growth (10-year)
1%
16.8%
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
Washington
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Clergy median pay.

State
Clergy
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Washington
$80,830
$68,910
New Jersey
$65,500
$62,820
New Mexico
$64,100
$74,100
Colorado
$63,700
$62,390
Connecticut
$63,470
$63,590
Oregon
$63,140
$74,590
Arizona
$61,900
$65,300
Wyoming
$61,590
$62,980
Wisconsin
$60,950
$62,220
North Dakota
$60,680
$68,630
Rhode Island
$59,660
$65,120
Idaho
$59,570
$63,360
Texas
$59,480
$62,630
Nebraska
$57,520
$63,770
Alaska
$55,780
$80,770

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Clergy or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

Clergy earn more nationally. The median is $60,810 for Clergy versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $1K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Clergy or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors has the better 10-year outlook at 16.8% projected growth, compared to 1% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Clergy or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

Clergy typically requires master's degree. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Clergy get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Clergy at $80,830/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Clergy vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Clergy earn $80,830 vs. $68,910 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Clergy salary breakdownView →Full Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Clergy by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by take-home payExplore →How to become a clergyGuide →How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorsGuide →