Outpatient Counselor Salary in the United States

How much does an Outpatient Counselor make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for an Outpatient Counselor in the United States is $67,973 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.

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

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $84,253
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $62,477 to $76,495
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $57,473
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View as table View as graph 25% $62,477 10% $57,473 90% $84,253 75% $76,495 $67,973 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Outpatient Counselor Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $76,495 $6,375 $1,471 $37
Average $67,973 $5,664 $1,307 $33
25th Percentile $62,477 $5,206 $1,201 $30
Check out Outpatient Counselor Job Openings in the United States
Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor Outpatient

Northstar Behavioral Health Network - MAPLEWOOD, MN

Physical Therapist

Rehab Associates - HEATH, OH

Physical Therapist

BIG STONE THERAPIES INC - MAYVILLE, ND

Casual Outpatient Occupational Therapist

Oaklawn Hospital - MARSHALL, MI

Search More Outpatient Counselor Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Outpatient Counselor Salaries

An Outpatient 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Outpatient Counselor Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Outpatient 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:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $65,591
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $65,990
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $66,548
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $67,597
  • Expert (over 8 years): $70,104
Levels Salary
Entry Level Outpatient Counselor$65,591
Intermediate Level Outpatient Counselor$65,990
Senior Level Outpatient Counselor$66,548
Specialist Level Outpatient Counselor$67,597
Expert Level Outpatient Counselor$70,104
$65,591 0 yr
$65,990 < 2 yrs
$66,548 2-4 yrs
$67,597 5-8 yrs
$70,104 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

How Do Outpatient 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 Outpatient Counselors. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $75,260.
  • California: $74,975.
  • Massachusetts: $73,975.

Top Paying Cities for Outpatient 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: $85,735
  • San Francisco: $84,892
  • Oakland: $83,009

What Skills Can Increase an Outpatient Counselor's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Planning (Mentioned in 4.24% 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.
  • Billing (Mentioned in 3.7% Job Postings): Billing refers to the aspect of banking, whereby someone is charged accurately for what item they purchased.
  • Psychotherapy (Mentioned in 2.9% Job Postings): Psychotherapy can help eliminate or control troubling symptoms so a person can function better and can increase well-being and healing.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Planning 4.24%
Billing 3.7%
Psychotherapy 2.9%
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 an Outpatient Counselor's salary.
  • Integrity: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Patient Care: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
  • Leadership: Can increase your salary by up to 2%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Integrity
$70,012
3%
Patient Care
$70,012
3%
Leadership
$69,333
2%
Teamwork
$69,333
2%
Group Therapy
$69,333
2%
Client Service
$68,653
1%
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Outpatient Counselor Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Outpatient 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 January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Outpatient Counselor

Salaries for an Outpatient Counselor can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $85,837 in 2023 to around $84,604 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Outpatient Counselor salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Outpatient Counselor Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$85,837
2024
$85,502
2025
$84,604
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $85,837
2024 $85,502
2025 $84,604
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Outpatient Counselor

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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Common company salaries for Outpatient Counselor

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

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

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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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