Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in El Centro, CA
The median pay for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in El Centro, CA is $65,520/year ($31.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $101K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 95.17), that's roughly $68,845 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,362/month — about 31.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $66K get you in El Centro?
About substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, El Centro, CA
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K.Top earners bring in $101K or more - a $57K spread from bottom to top.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $79K | +34% | 1,060 |
| New Mexico | $71K | +20% | 2,070 |
| Oregon | $70K | +18% | 6,410 |
| North Dakota | $66K | +12% | 1,180 |
| District of Columbia | $66K | +12% | 980 |
| Utah | $66K | +11% | 4,720 |
| Idaho | $65K | +10% | 2,130 |
| New Jersey | $65K | +9% | 14,640 |
| Nebraska | $64K | +9% | 1,980 |
| Washington | $64K | +8% | 13,150 |
| Arizona | $64K | +8% | 8,970 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +6% | 6,470 |
| Wisconsin | $62K | +6% | 9,450 |
| New York | $62K | +5% | 22,450 |
| Wyoming | $62K | +4% | 840 |
Track substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when El Centro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in El Centro, CA?
The median is $65,520 a year - that works out to about $31.5 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,210, and experienced substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors can clear $100,980. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in El Centro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,345/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,362/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary go in El Centro?
El Centro has a Regional Price Parity of 95.17 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary is worth about $68,845 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.