Iowa Median
$60,880
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.27
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#19 of 51
3,530 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Iowa?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Iowa take home a median of $60,880 annually — roughly $29.27 an hour — which runs 3% above the national median of $59,350.
Within Iowa, entry-level pay starts around $44,450 while the top 10% make $102,890 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,420 and $77,220 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Iowa
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,450 | $21.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,420 | $23.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,880 | $29.27 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,220 | $37.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,890 | $49.47 |
|
How Iowa compares
Iowa ranks 19th 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 $61,690Illinois $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 Iowa
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 Iowa pay ($60,880) 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 Iowa?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Iowa is $60,880 per year, or about $29.27 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,450 at the entry level to $102,890 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Iowa pay compare to the national average?
Iowa pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 3% more than the national median of $59,350. Iowa ranks 19th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Iowa a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — Iowa pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,880 a year. About 3,530 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Iowa. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Iowa?
The highest-paying occupations in Iowa include Emergency Medicine Physician ($429,050), Dermatologist ($424,970), Radiologist ($405,220), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary report
Related salaries
$60,810
median pay · 57,000 employed
$52,100
median pay · 22,000 employed
$66,270
median pay · 89,000 employed
$64,330
median pay · 353,000 employed
$45,930
median pay · 438,000 employed
$51,850
median pay · 62,000 employed
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.