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Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does a Behavioral Disorder Counselor make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavioral Disorder Counselor in the United States is $74,175 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $36.

However, a Behavioral Disorder Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $89,796
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $65,381 to $82,352
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,374
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salaries

A Behavioral Disorder Counselor's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Do Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Behavioral Disorder Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $82,127.
  • California: $81,815.
  • Massachusetts: $80,725.

Top Paying Cities for Behavioral Disorder Counselors

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $93,557
  • San Francisco: $92,533
  • Oakland: $90,583

What Skills Can Increase a Behavioral Disorder Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 6.43% Job Postings): An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
  • Discharge Planning (Mentioned in 2.3% Job Postings): Developing a personalized plan to ensure the smooth transition of a patient from a health organization to the patient's home or residential care.
  • Microsoft Office (Mentioned in 1.67% Job Postings): Microsoft Office is a suite of desktop productivity applications that is designed by Microsoft for business use. You can create documents containing text and images, work with data in spreadsheets and databases, create presentations and posters.
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 6.43%
Discharge Planning 2.3%
Microsoft Office 1.67%
See More Skills

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Behavioral Disorder Counselor's salary.

  • Utilization Management: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Managed Care: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Verbal Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Utilization Management $79,368
7%
Managed Care $77,884
5%
Verbal Communication $77,142
4%
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Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Behavioral Disorder Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Behavioral Disorder Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavioral Disorder Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Behavioral Disorder Counselor

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$89,010$43.020%

Behavioral Disorder Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Behavioral Disorder Counselor's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$65,381
Average $74,175/year
$82,352
$5,448
Average $6,181/month
$6,863
$1,257
Average $1,426/week
$1,584
$31
Average $36/hour
$40
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $82,352 $6,863 $1,584 $40
Average $74,175 $6,181 $1,426 $36
25th Percentile $65,381 $5,448 $1,257 $31

Most common benefits for Behavioral Disorder Counselor

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Behavioral Disorder Counselor

Here are companies hiring for Behavioral Disorder Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Behavioral Disorder Counselor

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Behavioral Disorder Counselor?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for Behavioral Disorder Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

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