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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $58,310 -1.5% vs national
Median hourly $28.03
10th percentile $41,020
90th percentile $97,790
Employed locally 470
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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Santa Cruz, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $41,020
    25th
    $47,250
    50th (median)
    $58,310
    75th
    $75,230
    90th
    $97,790

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 53% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 47% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $83,300
    Social and Human Service Assistants $51,590
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,310
    Rehabilitation Counselors $50,400
    Healthcare Social Workers $93,230
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $61,910

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Santa Cruz, CA is $28.03, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $49.14 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz, CA is 1.5% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $41,020 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,250.