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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Jersey Median
$62,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#13 of 51
14,210 employed here

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

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in New Jersey earn a median salary of $62,820 per year, or about $30.20 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.

Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $40,630 while the top 10% make $104,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,290 and $81,900 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,630$19.53
25th percentile (early career)$49,290$23.70
50th percentile (median)$62,820$30.20
75th percentile (experienced)$81,900$39.38
90th percentile (top earners)$104,310$50.15

How New Jersey compares

New Jersey ranks 13th 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 New Jersey

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 New Jersey pay ($62,820) 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 New Jersey?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in New Jersey is $62,820 per year, or about $30.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,630 at the entry level to $104,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 6% more than the national median of $59,350. New Jersey ranks 13th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,820 a year. About 14,210 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.