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Salary comparison

Directors, Religious Activities and Education vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss out-earn Directors, Religious Activities and Educations by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Directors, Religious Activities and Educations land at $52,100 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss at $59,350. The education gap is real: directors, religious activities and education programs typically require master's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Directors, Religious Activities and Educations is Alabama ($79,310); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss it's Alaska ($80,770).

Directors, Religious Activities and Education
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median salary
$52,100
$59,350
Hourly rate
$25.05/hr
$28.53/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$34,670
$38,940
Senior level (90th %)
$98,310
$97,590
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
22,160
491,930
Job growth (10-year)
N/A
16.8%
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
Alabama
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Directors, Religious Activities and Education median pay.

State
Directors, Religious Activities and Education
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Texas
$75,420
$62,630
Nebraska
$72,500
$63,770
Colorado
$67,760
$62,390
Iowa
$66,140
$60,880
New Jersey
$65,730
$62,820
Arizona
$57,140
$65,300
Utah
$56,790
$63,890
Washington
$56,480
$68,910
New Mexico
$48,240
$74,100
Connecticut
$47,850
$63,590
Michigan
$45,590
$61,690
Oregon
$45,360
$74,590
Idaho
$44,990
$63,360
Rhode Island
$44,770
$65,120
Wisconsin
$40,180
$62,220

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Directors, Religious Activities and Educations or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss?

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss earn more nationally. The median is $52,100 for Directors, Religious Activities and Educations versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Directors, Religious Activities and Education or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.

Which requires more education, Directors, Religious Activities and Education or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

Directors, Religious Activities and Education 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 Directors, Religious Activities and Educations get paid the most?

Alabama is the top-paying state for Directors, Religious Activities and Educations at $79,310/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Directors, Religious Activities and Education vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Texas, Directors, Religious Activities and Educations earn $75,420 vs. $62,630 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Directors, Religious Activities and Education salary breakdownView →Full Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Directors, Religious Activities and Educations by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss by take-home payExplore →How to become a directors, religious activities and educationGuide →How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorsGuide →