West Virginia Median
$49,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#48 of 51
2,100 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in West Virginia?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in West Virginia take home a median of $49,430 annually — roughly $23.76 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $59,350.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $36,990 while the top 10% make $73,360 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $42,730 and $61,560 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,990 | $17.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $42,730 | $20.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,430 | $23.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,560 | $29.60 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,360 | $35.27 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 48th 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 $51,580Tennessee $49,580Alabama $47,310Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($49,430) 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 West Virginia?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in West Virginia is $49,430 per year, or about $23.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,990 at the entry level to $73,360 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 17% less than the national median of $59,350. West Virginia ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $49,430 a year. About 2,100 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.