Tennessee Median
$49,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.84
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#47 of 51
9,040 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Tennessee?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee take home a median of $49,580 annually — roughly $23.84 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $59,350.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $34,950 while the top 10% make $76,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,160 and $61,160 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,950 | $16.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $39,160 | $18.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,580 | $23.84 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,160 | $29.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,620 | $36.84 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 47th 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 $68,910North Dakota $68,630Arizona $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 $51,580West Virginia $49,430Alabama $47,310Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Tennessee
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 Tennessee pay ($49,580) 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 Tennessee?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Tennessee is $49,580 per year, or about $23.84 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,950 at the entry level to $76,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 16% less than the national median of $59,350. Tennessee ranks 47th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,580 a year. About 9,040 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Tennessee. 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 Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), 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
$60,810
median pay · 57,000 employed
$52,100
median pay · 22,000 employed
$66,270
median pay · 89,000 employed
$64,330
median pay · 353,000 employed
$45,930
median pay · 438,000 employed
$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.