North Dakota Median
$68,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+16% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#5 of 51
1,290 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in North Dakota?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in North Dakota take home a median of $68,630 annually — roughly $33.00 an hour — which runs 16% above the national median of $59,350.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $43,270 while the top 10% make $86,630 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,450 and $77,320 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,270 | $20.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,450 | $26.66 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,630 | $33.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,320 | $37.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,630 | $41.65 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 5th 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 $68,910Arizona $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 $60,730District 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 North Dakota
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 North Dakota pay ($68,630) 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 North Dakota?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in North Dakota is $68,630 per year, or about $33.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,270 at the entry level to $86,630 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 16% more than the national median of $59,350. North Dakota ranks 5th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — North Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $68,630 a year. About 1,290 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in North Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), 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.