Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Missouri (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Missouri, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$56,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.36
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#36 of 51
8,130 employed here

How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Missouri?

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in Missouri earn a median salary of $56,910 per year, or about $27.36 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $37,650 while the top 10% make $89,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,140 and $72,280 a year.

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,650$18.10
25th percentile (early career)$44,140$21.22
50th percentile (median)$56,910$27.36
75th percentile (experienced)$72,280$34.75
90th percentile (top earners)$89,400$42.98

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Alaska$80,770
2Oregon$74,590
3New Mexico$74,100
4Washington$68,910
5North Dakota$68,630

Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($56,910) 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 Missouri?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Missouri is $56,910 per year, or about $27.36 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,650 at the entry level to $89,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 4% less than the national median of $59,350. Missouri ranks 36th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $56,910 a year. About 8,130 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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

Clergy

$60,810
median pay · 57,000 employed

Directors, Religious Activities and Education

$52,100
median pay · 22,000 employed

Social and Human Service Assistants

$45,930
median pay · 438,000 employed

Community Health Worker

$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.