Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary
in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- Middle 50%
- $48,530–$77,960
- vs U.S. median
- -3%
- Metro rank
- #198 of 370
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro earn a median of $57,660 a year, based on BLS estimates for 6,500 jobs (May 2025). That is 3% below the U.S. median of $59,350 and 3% below the CA statewide median of $59,250. It ranks #198 of 370 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE6,500 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in other CA metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $80,770 |
| Salinas, CA | $73,940 |
| El Centro, CA | $73,620 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $72,770 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $72,550 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $68,400 |
| Vallejo, CA | $66,940 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,910 |
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RELATED JOBS IN SAN DIEGO
- Social and Human Service Assistantsmedian $49,500 · 6,400 jobs
- Child, Family, and School Social Workersmedian $59,770 · 3,820 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisorsmedian $83,520 · 3,900 jobs
- Healthcare Social Workersmedian $82,630 · 1,440 jobs
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workersmedian $75,570 · 1,030 jobs
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Othermedian $57,200 · 1,020 jobs
- Rehabilitation Counselorsmedian $45,700 · 1,100 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialistsmedian $77,230 · 1,100 jobs
Questions
What is the average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in San Diego?
The BLS median is $57,660 a year (May 2025). Half of the 6,500 jobs pay between $48,530 and $77,960. The 10th percentile is $45,910 and the 90th is $103,560.
Is San Diego a high-paying metro for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
That is 3% below the U.S. median of $59,350 and 3% below the CA statewide median of $59,250. It ranks #198 of 370 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make an hour in San Diego?
About $27.72 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $57,660 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $23.33–$37.48 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.