Counselors, All Other vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors out-earn Counselors, All Other by $8K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Counselors, All Other land at $50,860 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: counselors, all other programs typically require master's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Counselors, All Other is District of Columbia ($93,720); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors it's Alaska ($80,770).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Counselors, All Other median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Counselors, All Other or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earn more nationally. The median is $50,860 for Counselors, All Other versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $8K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Counselors, All Other 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 12.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Counselors, All Other or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Counselors, All Other 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 Counselors, All Other get paid the most?
District of Columbia is the top-paying state for Counselors, All Other at $93,720/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Counselors, All Other vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Utah, Counselors, All Other earn $93,530 vs. $63,890 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.