Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Fargo, ND-MN
The median pay for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Fargo, ND-MN is $61,680/year ($29.65/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 90.87), which stretches that salary to about $67,877 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,112/month, or 26.9% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $62K get you in Fargo?
About substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Fargo, ND-MN
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $62K.Top earners bring in $83K or more - a $38K 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 Fargo numbers change.
Related careers in Community & Social
Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The median is $61,680 a year - that works out to about $29.65 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,320, and experienced substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors can clear $82,640. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $62K enough to live in Fargo?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,200/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,112/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 26.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary go in Fargo?
Fargo has a Regional Price Parity of 90.87 (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 $67,877 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.