Colorado Median
$62,390
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#15 of 51
14,920 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Colorado?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in Colorado earn a median salary of $62,390 per year, or about $30.00 per hour. That is 5% above the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $44,060 while the top 10% make $100,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,920 and $80,980 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,060 | $21.18 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,390 | $30.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,980 | $38.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $100,020 | $48.09 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 15th 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 $62,630Wisconsin $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 $49,430Alabama $47,310Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Colorado
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 Colorado pay ($62,390) 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 Colorado?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Colorado is $62,390 per year, or about $30.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,060 at the entry level to $100,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 5% more than the national median of $59,350. Colorado ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,390 a year. About 14,920 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), 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.