Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Hickory, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC

Median annual salary $50,450 -14.8% vs national
Median hourly $24.26
10th percentile $37,490
90th percentile $77,630
Employed locally 280
National median $59,190

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

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

Full tool →
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
in
Hickory, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,490
    25th
    $45,830
    50th (median)
    $50,450
    75th
    $60,940
    90th
    $77,630

    Hickory economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $60,255 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 84% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 16% 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
    Anchorage, AK $79,830
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,950
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $71,530
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $67,680
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $63,850
    Raleigh-Cary, NC $60,350

    Related occupations in Hickory, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $58,970
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $55,410
    Social and Human Service Assistants $38,940
    Healthcare Social Workers $59,630
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $60,850
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers $57,200

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Hickory, NC is $24.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.83 or more per hour.

    Is Hickory 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 Hickory, NC is 14.8% 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 Hickory?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $37,490 per year in Hickory, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,830.