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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$74,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+25% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#3 of 51
2,420 employed here

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

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in New Mexico take home a median of $74,100 annually — roughly $35.63 an hour — which runs 25% above the national median of $59,350.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $48,900 while the top 10% make $113,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $60,300 and $89,800 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,900$23.51
25th percentile (early career)$60,300$28.99
50th percentile (median)$74,100$35.63
75th percentile (experienced)$89,800$43.17
90th percentile (top earners)$113,420$54.53

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 3rd 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 Mexico

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 Mexico pay ($74,100) 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 Mexico?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in New Mexico is $74,100 per year, or about $35.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,900 at the entry level to $113,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 25% more than the national median of $59,350. New Mexico ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $74,100 a year. About 2,420 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), 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.