Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $64,140 +8.4% vs national
Median hourly $30.84
10th percentile $41,200
90th percentile $93,880
Employed locally 4,230
National median $59,190

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

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

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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
in
Houston, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,200
    25th
    $49,340
    50th (median)
    $64,140
    75th
    $76,890
    90th
    $93,880

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 80% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 20% 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
    Brownsville-Harlingen, TX $74,160
    Amarillo, TX $66,930
    Laredo, TX $65,500
    McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX $65,000
    El Paso, TX $64,170
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $62,440

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $75,160
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $50,710
    Social and Human Service Assistants $45,310
    Healthcare Social Workers $73,030
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $51,820
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $50,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Houston, TX is $30.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.04 or more per hour.

    Is Houston 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 Houston, TX is 8.4% above 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $41,200 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,340.