Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Merced, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Merced, CA

Median annual salary $59,840 +1.1% vs national
Median hourly $28.77
10th percentile $40,240
90th percentile $98,710
Employed locally 300
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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Merced, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,240
    25th
    $48,570
    50th (median)
    $59,840
    75th
    $77,480
    90th
    $98,710

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 92% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 8% 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
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $76,240
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $74,670
    Vallejo, CA $74,210
    Napa, CA $73,960
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $72,950
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $72,380

    Related occupations in Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $59,860
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $76,060
    Social and Human Service Assistants $48,840
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $48,920
    Marriage and Family Therapists $73,440
    Rehabilitation Counselors $39,320

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Merced, CA is $28.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.73 or more per hour.

    Is Merced 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 Merced, CA is 1.1% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $40,240 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $48,570.