As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Behavioral Health Counselor in the United States is $62,637 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Behavioral Health Counselor's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered HR
AI Onboarding
A Behavioral Health Counselor'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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Behavioral Health Counselor'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Behavioral Health Counselor | $59,267 |
| Intermediate Level Behavioral Health Counselor | $59,733 |
| Senior Level Behavioral Health Counselor | $62,637 |
| Specialist Level Behavioral Health Counselor | $65,851 |
| Expert Level Behavioral Health Counselor | $66,424 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Health Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Planning | 8.84% |
| Patient Care | 2.49% |
| Geriatrics | 1.28% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Coaching
|
$65,143 |
4%
|
|
Psychiatric
|
$64,517 |
3%
|
|
Verbal Communication
|
$64,517 |
3%
|
|
Collaboration
|
$64,517 |
3%
|
|
Commitment
|
$63,890 |
2%
|
|
Patient Care
|
$63,890 |
2%
|
For Behavioral Health Counselor roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Healthcare., offers compensation 5% above the average. Conversely, Behavioral Health Counselor positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Behavioral Health Counselor as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare. | $65,769 | $32.0 | 5% |
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Behavioral Health Counselors enter the field with a Master's Degree or MBA 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 Behavioral Health Counselor with a Master's Degree or MBA is between $71,017 and $74,969).
Behavioral Health Counselor Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 0.1% |
| High School | 0.8% |
| Associates | 1.5% |
| Bachelors | 5.1% |
| Masters | 91.4% |
| Doctorate | 1.1% |
Understanding how a Behavioral Health 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 August 01, 2026Salaries for a Behavioral Health Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $73,235 in 2023 to around $69,687 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Behavioral Health Counselor salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $73,235 |
| 2024 | $71,099 |
| 2025 | $69,687 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.
Compensation PlanningHere are companies hiring for Behavioral Health Counselor and their salaries, click below for more details.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Behavioral Health Counselor job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Get a Salary Increase
Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.
Search Job Openings
Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.
Adjust Employee Salary
Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.
Price My Industry Jobs
Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.
The Healthcare. industry offers the highest average compensation for Behavioral Health Counselor roles, with salaries approximately 5% above the market median.
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.
Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:
