Career Profile

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors

Education Postgraduate degree
This is the typical education required for an entry-level position.
Earnings $46,700
This is the typical median salary earned for an entry-level position.

Mental Health Counselors counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention.

General Information

Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.

Important Work Activities

  • Getting Information
  • Processing Information
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
  • Making Decisions and Solving Problems
  • Working with Computers

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors

Occupational Outlook

For the Rural Capital Area

129

Job Opportunities

Over the next five years, an average of 129 openings per year are projected for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors.

+22.1%

Employment Change

Employment for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors is forecasted to increase significantly more than the regional average by 22.1% between 2023 and 2028.

$22.46

Earnings Potential

An average worker in this occupation is paid $22.46/hour. Entry level workers are paid $16.68, while experienced workers are paid $27.88. The median wage is comparable to average regional wages across occupations.

Local Employment Opportunities

There are 834 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 1,018.

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2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028

Top Employing Industries, Locally

The top industries employing Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors are Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities, Individual and Family Services, and Outpatient Care Centers.

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Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities
Individual and Family Services
Outpatient Care Centers
Offices of Other Health Practitioners
Psychiatric and Substance Abuse Hospitals

Knowledge Areas

The top most significant knowledge categories for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors include Therapy and Counseling, Psychology, and Education and Training.

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Therapy and Counseling
Psychology
Education and Training
Customer and Personal Service
English Language

Educational Attainment Patterns

The most common level of education for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors is Postgraduate degree. 74% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.

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HS diploma or less
Some college, no degree
Associate's
Bachelor's
Postgraduate degree
Sources: BLS   JobsEQ®   ONET