Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Charleston, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charleston-North Charleston, SC

Median annual salary $56,660 -4.3% vs national
Median hourly $27.24
10th percentile $36,880
90th percentile $92,410
Employed locally 510
National median $59,190

Compare Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Charleston, SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
in
Charleston, SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,880
    25th
    $44,380
    50th (median)
    $56,660
    75th
    $67,430
    90th
    $92,410

    Charleston economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $82,272 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 69% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Bend, OR $82,380
    Ogden, UT $81,300
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $80,470
    Anchorage, AK $79,830
    Alaska $79,220
    Fairbanks-College, AK $78,750

    Nearby metros — Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,950
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $70,340
    Wisconsin $62,470
    Northwestern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $62,250
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $60,860
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $60,610

    Related occupations in Charleston, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $63,900
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $49,910
    Social and Human Service Assistants $42,010
    Healthcare Social Workers $72,340
    Rehabilitation Counselors $37,970
    Social Workers, All Other $94,540

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make per hour in Charleston?

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Charleston, SC is $27.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $40.61 or more per hour.

    Is Charleston above or below average for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries?

    The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Charleston, SC is 4.3% below the national median of $59,190. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Charleston?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $36,880 per year in Charleston, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,380.