Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in St. Louis, MO-IL

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the St. Louis, MO-IL area earn a median annual salary of $53,300, which is lower than the national median of $59,190 for this occupation. This median salary converts to an hourly wage of $25.62. When compared to the local median household income of $78,225, counselors in St. Louis-MO-IL typically earn less than half of what a typical household might make annually. The difference highlights the disparity between individual earnings in specialized fields like counseling and broader household incomes within this metropolitan area.

Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in St. Louis-MO-IL earn around $37,520 per year, which is at the 10th percentile of the salary distribution for this occupation. In contrast, those with more experience who fall into the 75th percentile earn approximately $71,450 annually. This substantial difference can be attributed to various factors such as increased expertise, specialized certifications, and years of service in the field. Experienced counselors often have higher demand due to their proven track record and ability to handle complex cases effectively, which drives up their earning potential compared to those just entering the profession.