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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$52,010
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#45 of 51
30,620 employed here

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

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in Pennsylvania earn a median salary of $52,010 per year, or about $25.00 per hour. That is 12% below the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $36,280 while the top 10% make $81,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $43,210 and $65,280 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,280$17.44
25th percentile (early career)$43,210$20.77
50th percentile (median)$52,010$25.00
75th percentile (experienced)$65,280$31.38
90th percentile (top earners)$81,970$39.41

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 45th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($52,010) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Pennsylvania is $52,010 per year, or about $25.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,280 at the entry level to $81,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 12% less than the national median of $59,350. Pennsylvania ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,010 a year. About 30,620 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.