Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists out-earn Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by $7K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists land at $66,270 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: probation officers and correctional treatment specialist programs typically require master's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists is California ($103,640); 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 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn more nationally. The median is $66,270 for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $7K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 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 2.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists 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 Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists get paid the most?
California is the top-paying state for Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists at $103,640/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists earn $97,350 vs. $63,590 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.