Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Louisiana
The median pay for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Louisiana is $40,200/year ($19.33/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $29K at the entry level to $67K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Louisiana. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $40K get you in Louisiana?
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Louisiana
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (10th percentile) start around $29K. Mid-career wages sit at $40K. Top earners bring in $67K or more, a $37K spread from bottom to top.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary by metro in Louisiana
10 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $48K | +19% | 1,210 |
| Monroe | $43K | +7% | 360 |
| Lafayette | $42K | +4% | 620 |
| Shreveport-Bossier City | $42K | +4% | 470 |
| New Orleans-Metairie | $41K | +2% | 1,500 |
| Houma-Bayou Cane-Thibodaux | $39K | -2% | 500 |
| Lake Charles | $39K | -3% | 340 |
| Alexandria | $37K | -8% | 320 |
| Hammond | $36K | -10% | 140 |
| Slidell-Mandeville-Covington | $33K | -17% | 460 |
Compare to other states
Track substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Louisiana numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Louisiana?
The median is $40,200 a year, that works out to about $19 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,170, and experienced substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors can clear $66,560. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $40K enough to live in Louisiana?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,762/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,191/month, which eats 43.1% 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 Louisiana?
Louisiana has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary is worth about $46,059 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.