Alabama Median
$47,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#49 of 51
state estimate
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Alabama?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Alabama take home a median of $47,310 annually — roughly $22.75 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $59,350.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $34,420 while the top 10% make $76,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,430 and $62,670 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,420 | $16.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,430 | $18.96 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,310 | $22.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,670 | $30.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,510 | $36.78 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in other states
Alaska $80,770Oregon $74,590New Mexico $74,100Washington $68,910North Dakota $68,630Arizona $65,300Rhode Island $65,120Utah $63,890Nebraska $63,770Connecticut $63,590Idaho $63,360Wyoming $62,980New Jersey $62,820Texas $62,630Colorado $62,390Wisconsin $62,220Vermont $61,810Michigan $61,690Iowa $60,880Illinois $60,730District of Columbia $60,450Hawaii $60,090Maine $59,970Massachusetts $59,890Virginia $59,880Maryland $59,530Kansas $59,470New York $59,450Oklahoma $59,350California $59,250Montana $59,000Georgia $58,960Minnesota $58,780Ohio $58,360Nevada $57,210Missouri $56,910Florida $56,790Delaware $56,020North Carolina $55,490New Hampshire $54,840Kentucky $54,190Indiana $53,760South Dakota $53,650South Carolina $52,370Pennsylvania $52,010Arkansas $51,580Tennessee $49,580West Virginia $49,430Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Alabama
Nationally, about 492,000 people work as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($47,310) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Alabama?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Alabama is $47,310 per year, or about $22.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,420 at the entry level to $76,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 20% less than the national median of $59,350. Alabama ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $47,310 a year. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.