Kentucky ranks 41st of 51 states and D.C. for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors pay, trailing top-paying Alaska ($79,220) by $27,430 — a 53% gap.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are more concentrated in Kentucky than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.41 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.41× the national share.
Kentucky employs roughly 1.8% of all substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the country (8,030 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
| 25th percentile | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,790 | $24.90 |
| 75th percentile | $75,310 | $36.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,690 | $43.12 |
| Mean (average) | $58,190 | $27.98 |
How Kentucky Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Kentucky |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky (current) | $51,790 | n/a |
| Alaska | $79,220 | +53% |
| New Mexico | $70,770 | +37% |
| Oregon | $69,660 | +35% |
| North Dakota | $66,450 | +28% |
| District of Columbia | $66,140 | +28% |
| Utah | $65,920 | +27% |
| Idaho | $65,240 | +26% |
| New Jersey | $64,710 | +25% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Kentucky
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Computer User Support Specialists | $51,630 | 8,280 |
| Surgical Technologists | $52,240 | 1,900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $50,950 | 1,220 |
| Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | $52,710 | 790 |
| Carpenters | $50,860 | 8,200 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,700 | 3,200 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Kentucky?
The mean substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in Kentucky is $58,190 per year. The median (middle) salary is $51,790 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Kentucky?
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorss (10th percentile) in Kentucky typically earn around $33,970 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $39,560 per year.
What is the highest Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Kentucky?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Kentucky make approximately $89,690 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $75,310 per year.
How does the Kentucky 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 Kentucky is $51,790, which is -13% below national average of $59,190.