Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
The median pay for a substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA is $41,670/year ($20.03/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $28K at the entry level to $66K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 84.77), which stretches that salary to about $49,157 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,111/month — about 39.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $42K get you in Shreveport-Bossier City?
About substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Shreveport-Bossier City, LA
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (10th percentile) start around $28K. Mid-career wages sit at $42K.Top earners bring in $66K or more - a $37K 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 Shreveport-Bossier City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Shreveport-Bossier City, LA?
The median is $41,670 a year - that works out to about $20.03 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $28,290, and experienced substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors can clear $65,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $42K enough to live in Shreveport-Bossier City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,856/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,111/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 38.9% 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 Shreveport-Bossier City?
Shreveport-Bossier City has a Regional Price Parity of 84.77 (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 $49,157 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.