Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary
in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Middle 50%
- $50,870–$83,370
- vs U.S. median
- +10%
- Metro rank
- #54 of 370
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro earn a median of $65,270 a year, based on BLS estimates for 9,030 jobs (May 2025). That is 10% above the U.S. median of $59,350 and 8% above the DC statewide median of $60,450. It ranks #54 of 370 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE9,030 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Questions
What is the average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Washington?
The BLS median is $65,270 a year (May 2025). Half of the 9,030 jobs pay between $50,870 and $83,370. The 10th percentile is $46,520 and the 90th is $104,170.
Is Washington a high-paying metro for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
That is 10% above the U.S. median of $59,350 and 8% above the DC statewide median of $60,450. It ranks #54 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 Washington?
About $31.38 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $65,270 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $24.46–$40.08 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.