Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $57,570 -2.7% vs national
Median hourly $27.68
10th percentile $37,990
90th percentile $86,650
Employed locally 3,710
National median $59,190

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

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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

    10th
    $37,990
    25th
    $46,600
    50th (median)
    $57,570
    75th
    $75,550
    90th
    $86,650

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary vs area income 71% Median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary is 29% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $74,670
    Vallejo, CA $74,210
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $71,530
    Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ $70,340
    Corvallis, OR $68,620
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $67,680

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$66,520
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$60,190
    Social and Human Service Assistants$40,370
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$57,830
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$61,340
    Rehabilitation Counselors$36,250

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $27.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.54 or more per hour.

    Is Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 2.7% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (10th percentile) earn around $37,990 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,600.