California ranks 16th of 51 states and D.C. for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors pay, trailing top-paying Alaska ($79,220) by $17,910 — a 29% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $44,190 to $118,970 — a $74,780 spread, 26% wider than the national $59,120 range.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are more concentrated in California than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.22 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.22× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $44,190 | $21.25 |
| 25th percentile | $47,650 | $22.91 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,310 | $29.48 |
| 75th percentile | $90,370 | $43.45 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Mean (average) | $72,530 | $34.87 |
How California Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. California |
|---|---|---|
| California (current) | $61,310 | n/a |
| Alaska | $79,220 | +29% |
| New Mexico | $70,770 | +15% |
| Oregon | $69,660 | +14% |
| North Dakota | $66,450 | +8% |
| District of Columbia | $66,140 | +8% |
| Utah | $65,920 | +8% |
| Idaho | $65,240 | +6% |
| New Jersey | $64,710 | +6% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in California
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants | $61,320 | 23,960 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $61,320 | 53,600 |
| Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other | $61,210 | 36,100 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $61,170 | 14,090 |
| Psychiatric Technicians | $61,620 | 8,830 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $61,650 | 13,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in California?
The mean substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in California is $72,530 per year. The median (middle) salary is $61,310 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in California?
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorss (10th percentile) in California typically earn around $44,190 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $47,650 per year.
What is the highest Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in California?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in California make approximately $118,970 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $90,370 per year.
How does the California Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary compare to the national average?
The median substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in California is $61,310, which is +4% above national average of $59,190.