Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Lake Charles, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Lake Charles, LA

Median annual salary $39,170 -33.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.83
10th percentile $22,220
90th percentile $59,170
Employed locally 340
National median $59,190

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

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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
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Lake Charles, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,220
    25th
    $22,220
    50th (median)
    $39,170
    75th
    $49,040
    90th
    $59,170

    Lake Charles economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,010 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 58% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 42% 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
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $80,470
    Alaska $79,220
    Flagstaff, AZ $75,930
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $74,670
    Lansing-East Lansing, MI $73,300
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,950

    Related occupations in Lake Charles, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $87,220
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $50,640
    Social and Human Service Assistants $30,510
    Counselors, All Other $46,000
    Social Workers, All Other $38,120
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $47,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Lake Charles, LA is $18.83, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.90 or more per hour.

    Is Lake Charles 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 Lake Charles, LA is 33.8% 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 Lake Charles?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $22,220 per year in Lake Charles, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,220.