District of Columbia Median
$60,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.06
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#21 of 51
1,260 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in District of Columbia?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $60,450 per year, or about $29.06 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $43,060 while the top 10% make $107,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,920 and $83,570 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,060 | $20.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,920 | $22.56 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,450 | $29.06 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,570 | $40.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,980 | $51.91 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 21st 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 $60,730Hawaii $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($60,450) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in District of Columbia is $60,450 per year, or about $29.06 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,060 at the entry level to $107,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 2% more than the national median of $59,350. District of Columbia ranks 21st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,450 a year. About 1,260 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.