Arkansas Median
$51,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#46 of 51
2,570 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Arkansas?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas take home a median of $51,580 annually — roughly $24.80 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $59,350.
Within Arkansas, entry-level pay starts around $35,760 while the top 10% make $100,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,940 and $67,240 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Arkansas
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,760 | $17.19 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,940 | $18.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,580 | $24.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $67,240 | $32.33 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,270 | $48.21 |
|
How Arkansas compares
Arkansas ranks 46th 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 $52,010Tennessee $49,580West Virginia $49,430Alabama $47,310Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Arkansas
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 Arkansas pay ($51,580) 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 Arkansas?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Arkansas is $51,580 per year, or about $24.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,760 at the entry level to $100,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Arkansas pay compare to the national average?
Arkansas pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 13% less than the national median of $59,350. Arkansas ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Arkansas a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,580 a year. About 2,570 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Arkansas. 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 Arkansas?
The highest-paying occupations in Arkansas include Dermatologist ($422,060), Neurologist ($317,880), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($262,470), 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.