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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Texas Median
$62,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+6% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#14 of 51
21,400 employed here

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

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in Texas earn a median salary of $62,630 per year, or about $30.11 per hour. That is 6% above the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.

Within Texas, entry-level pay starts around $37,650 while the top 10% make $95,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,290 and $79,200 a year.

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

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,650$18.10
25th percentile (early career)$45,290$21.77
50th percentile (median)$62,630$30.11
75th percentile (experienced)$79,200$38.08
90th percentile (top earners)$95,910$46.11

How Texas compares

Texas ranks 14th 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 Texas

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 Texas pay ($62,630) 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 Texas?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Texas is $62,630 per year, or about $30.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,650 at the entry level to $95,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Texas pay compare to the national average?
Texas pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 6% more than the national median of $59,350. Texas ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Texas a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Yes on pay — Texas pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,630 a year. About 21,400 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in Texas. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Texas?
The highest-paying occupations in Texas include Cardiologist ($410,150), Neurologist ($360,640), Physician, Pathologists ($345,830), 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.