How much does a Mental Health Counselor make?
Experience
- All years of Experience
- 0-1 Years
- 1-3 Years
- 4-6 Years
- 7-9 Years
- 10-14 Years
- 15+ Years
Industry
- All industries
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- Aerospace & Defense
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- Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
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- Personal Consumer Services
- Education
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- Government & Public Administration
- Healthcare
- Information Technology
- Insurance
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- Media & Communication
- Nonprofit & NGO
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$63,614
/ yrThe estimated total pay for a Mental Health Counselor is $63,614 per year in the United States area, with an average salary of $60,725 per year. These numbers represent the median, which is the midpoint of the ranges from our proprietary Total Pay Estimate model and based on salaries collected from our users. The estimated additional pay is $2,889 per year. Additional pay could include cash bonus, commission, tips, and profit sharing. The "Most Likely Range" represents values that exist within the 25th and 75th percentile of all pay data available for this role.
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For Mental Health Counselor
Download as data table
What is the total pay trajectory for Mental Health Counselor?
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselor | $63,614 /yr |
| Senior Mental Health Counselor | $69,541 /yr |
| Mental Health Counselor IV |
Top Paying Companies
For a Mental Health Counselor in United States
Below is the total pay for the top 10 highest paying companies for a Mental Health Counselor in United States. Employers include US Department of Veterans Affairs, John Muir Health and BetterHelp.
Top Paying Companies
For Mental Health Counselor in United States
| 1 | US Department of Veterans Affairs | $65,987 | |
| 2 | John Muir Health | $64,143 | |
| 3 | BetterHelp | $59,470 | |
| 4 | Self Opportunity | $59,339 | |
| 5 | SelfEmployed.com | $58,425 | |
| 6 | NYC Health + Hospitals | $57,982 | |
| 7 | Trinity Health | $57,239 | |
| 8 | South Carolina Department of Mental Health | $57,218 | |
| 9 | Norwegian American Hospital | $56,752 | |
| 10 | Providence | $56,644 |
For Mental Health Counselor
Download as data table
What is the total pay trajectory for Mental Health Counselor?
| Job Title | Salary |
|---|---|
| Mental Health Counselor | $63,614 /yr |
| Senior Mental Health Counselor | $69,541 /yr |
| Mental Health Counselor IV |
What are total pay estimates for a Mental Health Counselor at different companies?
- Popular
- Most Reports
- Salary: high to low
- Salary: low to high
$25
/ hr
$25
/ hr
$28
/ hr
$25
/ hr
$50,242
/ yrIs this salary info helpful?
Let’s pay it forward! The Glassdoor community relies on people like you to share accurate salary info to promote fair compensation everywhere
$31
/ hr
$22
/ hr
$24
/ hr
$24
/ hr
$54,367
/ yr
$26
/ hr
$23
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$27
/ hr
$57,218
/ yr
$25
/ hrMental Health Counselor Salaries
Top Paying Industries
For a Mental Health Counselor in United States
The top 5 paying industries for a Mental Health Counselor in United States are Government & Public Administration with a median total pay of $61,603, Information Technology with a median total pay of $59,470, Media & Communication with a median total pay of $59,339, Management & Consulting with a median total pay of $55,784, and Construction, Repair & Maintenance Services with a median total pay of $55,709.
- Government & Public AdministrationGovernment & Public Administration$61,603
16% Higher than other industries
- Construction, Repair & Maintenance ServicesConstruction, Repair & Maintenance Services$55,709
7% Higher than other industries
Government & Public Administration
Top paying companies in Government & Public Administration for Mental Health Counselor are US Department of Veterans Affairs and South Carolina Department of Mental Health.
Glassdoor Economist Pay Overview
What is the pay outlook for Healthcare?
Healthcare jobs, already in high demand, are expected to grow extensively to meet the increased need from an aging population. Careers in this industry are diverse, though most require additional training and pay above-average wages. Despite fewer opportunities for remote work than other professions, healthcare jobs can be found nearly everywhere, including both rural and urban settings. While careers in healthcare offer high job security, they also often involve long hours, including evening and weekend shift work, particularly for those just starting their career.
Recent Salaries Shared
For mental health counselor
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Location
Total Pay
Base Pay | Additional Pay
Total Years of Experience
Years at Recent Employer
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Date or Time
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Mental Health Counselor pay FAQ
The average salary for a Mental Health Counselor is $63,614 per year in United States. Salaries estimates are based on 3940 salaries submitted anonymously to Glassdoor by a Mental Health Counselor employees in United States.
The highest salary for a Mental Health Counselor in United States is $80,164 per year.
The lowest salary for a Mental Health Counselor in United States is $50,611 per year.
If you are thinking of becoming a Mental Health Counselor or planning the next step in your career, find details about the role, the career path and salary trajectory of a Mental Health Counselor.
Anonymous Glassdoor ratings find that around 62% of mental health counselors rated their salary as satisfactory. Those with advanced degrees or more experience may potentially be able to increase their earning potential in their current role.
Depending on education and experience, a mental health counselor's compensation can range from $41,212.53 to $98,555.95. The pay of employees following an average mental health counselor career path averages at $63,614.35. If you choose a specialty, such as drug abuse or family counseling, the pay range may increase, based on your location and other qualifications.
When looking to earn a better salary as a mental health counselor, you may consider returning to school to get an advanced degree or higher certifications. Continuing education classes or certification seminars may be offered online to accommodate your work schedule. Some specialty certifications you may consider are:
- Substance abuse counseling
- Geriatric counseling
- Child and adolescent counseling
- School counselor
- Rehabilitation counseling
- Eating disorder counseling
- Marriage and family therapist
You may choose multiple complementary certifications; for example, a school counselor may also be certified in relevant subjects like substance abuse, eating disorders, and child and adolescent counseling.
Before a job interview, research salaries that others with comparable experience and education make. Look at open mental health counselor positions in your area to get a feel for what similar positions pay. When negotiating salary, emphasize relevant facts, such a high GPA, clinical experience, or volunteer work. When negotiating a salary increase in your current mental health counselor job, emphasize items that make you more valuable, such as excellent attendance, volunteer work in the community, willingness to fill in for absent employees while still keeping up with your own work, and willingness to perform duties outside your job description when necessary.