Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
The median pay for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA is $72,380/year ($34.8/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $110K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 108.8), so that salary is closer to $66,526 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,124/month — about 66.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $72K get you in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
About substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K.Top earners bring in $110K or more - a $64K 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA?
The median is $72,380 a year - that works out to about $34.8 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,270, and experienced substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors can clear $109,530. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,701/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,124/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 66.5% 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 Santa Maria-Santa Barbara?
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara has a Regional Price Parity of 108.8 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary is worth about $66,526 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.