North Carolina ranks 37th of 51 states and D.C. for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors pay, trailing top-paying Alaska ($79,220) by $22,750 — a 40% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $38,440 to $83,790 — a $45,350 spread, 23% tighter than the national $59,120 range.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.64 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.56× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| 25th percentile | $47,460 | $22.82 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,470 | $27.15 |
| 75th percentile | $68,470 | $32.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,790 | $40.28 |
| Mean (average) | $60,440 | $29.06 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $56,470 | n/a |
| Alaska | $79,220 | +40% |
| New Mexico | $70,770 | +25% |
| Oregon | $69,660 | +23% |
| North Dakota | $66,450 | +18% |
| District of Columbia | $66,140 | +17% |
| Utah | $65,920 | +17% |
| Idaho | $65,240 | +16% |
| New Jersey | $64,710 | +15% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $56,330 | 4,640 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $56,730 | 2,700 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $56,950 | 2,220 |
| Advertising Sales Agents | $57,050 | 2,200 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $55,880 | 4,210 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,100 | 9,630 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in North Carolina?
The mean substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in North Carolina is $60,440 per year. The median (middle) salary is $56,470 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in North Carolina?
Entry-level substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselorss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $38,440 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $47,460 per year.
What is the highest Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $83,790 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $68,470 per year.
How does the North Carolina 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 North Carolina is $56,470, which is -5% below national average of $59,190.