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Salary comparison

Religious Workers, All Other vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors out-earn Religious Workers, All Other by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Religious Workers, All Other land at $45,280 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: religious workers, 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 Religious Workers, All Other is Washington ($62,620); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors it's Alaska ($80,770).

Religious Workers, All Other
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median salary
$45,280
$59,350
Hourly rate
$21.77/hr
$28.53/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$31,200
$38,940
Senior level (90th %)
$93,900
$97,590
Education required
Master's degree
Master's degree
U.S. employment
15,760
491,930
Job growth (10-year)
0.6%
16.8%
Category
Community & Social
Community & Social
Top-paying state
Washington
Alaska

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Religious Workers, All Other median pay.

State
Religious Workers, All Other
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Washington
$62,620
$68,910
New York
$51,150
$59,450
Arizona
$50,750
$65,300
Colorado
$50,440
$62,390
Virginia
$48,210
$59,880
District of Columbia
$47,430
$60,450
Illinois
$47,070
$60,730
Michigan
$46,960
$61,690
Iowa
$44,110
$60,880
New Jersey
$43,480
$62,820
Connecticut
$39,310
$63,590
Maryland
$37,860
$59,530
Hawaii
$37,730
$60,090
Oregon
$36,830
$74,590
Texas
$36,420
$62,630

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

Common questions

Who earns more, Religious Workers, 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 $45,280 for Religious Workers, All Other versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Religious Workers, 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 0.6% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Religious Workers, All Other or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?

Religious Workers, 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 Religious Workers, All Other get paid the most?

Washington is the top-paying state for Religious Workers, All Other at $62,620/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Religious Workers, All Other vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Washington, Religious Workers, All Other earn $62,620 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 Religious Workers, All Other salary breakdownView →Full Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary breakdownView →Best cities for Religious Workers, All Other by take-home payExplore →Best cities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by take-home payExplore →How to become a religious workers, all otherGuide →How to become a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorsGuide →