RN Behavioral Health Salary in the United States

How much does a RN Behavioral Health make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a RN Behavioral Health in the United States is $42,266 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $20.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $50,950
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $38,483 to $46,812
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,038
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View as table View as graph 25% $38,483 10% $35,038 90% $50,950 75% $46,812 $42,266 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

RN Behavioral Health Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $46,812 $3,901 $900 $23
Average $42,266 $3,522 $813 $20
25th Percentile $38,483 $3,207 $740 $19
Check out RN Behavioral Health Job Openings in the United States
RN Supervisor Behavioral Health Sign On

NewVista Behavioral Health - Columbus, OH

Intake Assessor RN Behavioral Health

NewVista Behavioral Health - Columbus, OH

Behavioral Health Tech

Crown Behavioral Health - Columbus, OH

Community Behavioral Health Worker

Integrated Services for Behavioral Health - Columbus, OH

Search More RN Behavioral Health Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence RN Behavioral Health Salaries

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

How Experience Level Affects RN Behavioral Health Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a RN Behavioral Health's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $41,932
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $90,859
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $105,244
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,683
  • Expert (over 8 years): $172,882
Levels Salary
RN Behavi... Level RN Behavioral Health$41,932
Behaviora... Level RN Behavioral Health$90,859
Behaviora... Level RN Behavioral Health$105,244
Behaviora... Level RN Behavioral Health$139,683
VP of Beh... Level RN Behavioral Health$172,882
$41,932 0 yr
$90,859 < 2 yrs
$105,244 2-4 yrs
$139,683 5-8 yrs
$172,882 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do RN Behavioral Health 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 RN Behavioral Healths. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $46,797.
  • California: $46,619.
  • Massachusetts: $45,998.

Top Paying Cities for RN Behavioral Healths

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: $53,310
  • San Francisco: $52,726
  • Oakland: $51,615

What Skills Can Increase a RN Behavioral Health's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 16.68% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Social Work (Mentioned in 3.01% Job Postings): Social work is an academic discipline and profession that concerns itself with individuals, families, groups and communities in an effort to enhance social functioning and overall well-being. Social functioning is the way in which people perform their social roles, and the structural institutions that are provided[by whom?] to sustain them. Social work applies social sciences, such as sociology, psychology, political science, public health, community development, law, and economics, to engage with client systems, conduct assessments, and develop interventions to solve social and personal problems; and to bring about social change. Social work practice is often divided[by whom?] into micro-work, which involves working directly with individuals or small groups; and macro-work, which involves working with communities, and - within social policy - fostering change on a larger scale.
  • First Aid (Mentioned in 2.61% Job Postings): First aid refers to medical attention that is usually administered immediately after the injury occurs and at the location where it occurred.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 16.68%
Social Work 3.01%
First Aid 2.61%
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 RN Behavioral Health's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 23%.
  • Child Development: Can increase your salary by up to 7%.
  • Applied Behavior Analysis: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
$51,987
23%
Child Development
$45,225
7%
Applied Behavior Analysis
$43,957
4%
Social Work
$43,957
4%
Products and Services
$43,534
3%
Organizational Skills
$43,111
2%
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RN Behavioral Health Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For RN Behavioral Health 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, RN Behavioral Health positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view RN Behavioral Health as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a RN Behavioral Health

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Insurance$50,719$24.020%

How Education impacts a RN Behavioral Health's Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many RN Behavioral Healths enter the field with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a RN Behavioral Health with a High School Diploma or Technical Certificate is between $38,567 and $40,902).

RN Behavioral Health Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for RN Behavioral Health
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 0.3%
High School 17.7%
Associates 12.6%
Bachelors 53.0%
Masters 16.4%
Doctorate 0.0%
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RN Behavioral Health Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a RN Behavioral Health'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 August 01, 2026

Salary Trends for RN Behavioral Health

Salaries for a RN Behavioral Health can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $38,335 in 2023 to around $37,684 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of RN Behavioral Health salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of RN Behavioral Health Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$38,335
2024
$37,973
2025
$37,684
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $38,335
2024 $37,973
2025 $37,684
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for RN Behavioral Health

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for RN Behavioral Health

Here are companies hiring for RN Behavioral Health and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next RN Behavioral Health Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current RN Behavioral Health job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions

    Columbus, OH

    Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions | Columbus, OH

    Behavioral Health Technician - Full Time. Lighthouse Behavioral Health Solutions (LBHS) offers a full continuum of care, including outpatient, intensive ou... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Nex Level Behavioral Health &amp; Addiction Services, LLC

    Columbus, OH

    Nex Level Behavioral Health &amp; Addiction Services, LLC | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. General Summary and Purpose. The Qualified Behavioral Health Specialist means an individual who has received training for... more

    5 Days Ago

  • NewVista Behavioral Health

    Columbus, OH

    NewVista Behavioral Health | Columbus, OH

    PRN Intake Assessor. River Vista, an affiliate of New Vista Health and Wellness, is currently recruiting PRN Intake Assessors for our Behavioral Health Hos... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Tristar Transportation

    Columbus, OH

    Tristar Transportation | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. The Behavioral Health Transportation Specialist (aka Flex Driver) is responsible for. providing safe, reliable, and suppo... more

    4 Days Ago

  • LifePoint Health

    Columbus, OH

    LifePoint Health | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Registered Nurse. Job Type: Part time. Shift: Days. 24 hour weeks (12 hour shift 7 - 7:30). Columbus Springs East is part of Lifepoint Hea... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Acadia Healthcare

    Columbus, OH

    Acadia Healthcare | Columbus, OH

    Personal Care Services. Responsible for providing personal care services to patients at the facility under the direction of clinical or nursing leadership.... more

    3 Days Ago

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FAQ about RN Behavioral Health

1. What industry pays the highest salary for RN Behavioral Health?

The Insurance industry offers the highest average compensation for RN Behavioral Health 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.)

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