Top Skills for This Career
BLS identifies these as the three highest-rated skills for this detailed occupation. TrustInEd adds the plain-language explanations so visitors understand what each skill means.
Working effectively with people by building relationships, understanding others, and responding appropriately.
Adjusting effectively when priorities, conditions, tools, or expectations change.
Understanding written information and communicating ideas clearly in writing.
How Do You Prepare for This Career?
BLS describes the typical preparation for this occupation. Requirements can vary by employer, state, licensing rules and individual circumstances.
How to Become One
Education and training requirements vary for entering these occupations. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, whereas mental health counselors typically need a master’s degree and an internship. Some counselors need a state-issued license. PayThe median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 50,500 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Your Next Step
Compare colleges and education options that can support the typical entry-level education for this career.
Pay
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025. Job Outlook Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 50,500 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Job Outlook
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. About 50,500 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. State & Area Data Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors. Similar Occupations Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations. More Information, Including Links to O*NET Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
What They Do
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors advise people on a range of issues, such as those relating to alcoholism, addictions, or depression.
Work Environment
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in a variety of settings, such as mental health centers, community health centers, and private practice. Most work full time, although part-time work is common.
How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor
Education and training requirements vary for entering these occupations. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, whereas mental health counselors typically need a master’s degree and an internship. Some counselors need a state-issued license.
Pay
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 50,500 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Work Environment
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in a variety of settings, such as mental health centers, community health centers, and private practice. Most work full time, although part-time work is common.
How to Become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, or Mental Health Counselor
Education and training requirements vary for entering these occupations. Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, whereas mental health counselors typically need a master’s degree and an internship. Some counselors need a state-issued license.
Pay
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors was $59,350 in May 2025.
Job Outlook
Employment of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is projected to grow 18 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations.
About 50,500 openings for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
State & Area Data
Explore resources for employment and wages by state and area for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors.
Similar Occupations
Compare the job duties, education, job growth, and pay of substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors with similar occupations.
More Information, Including Links to O*NET
Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
More Information
Learn more about substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors by visiting additional resources, including O*NET, a source on key characteristics of workers and occupations.
Take the Next Step
Find Education Programs
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Start with ED →Career data and occupational profile text are sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook and Employment Projections program. Education requirements are typical entry-level requirements and may vary by employer, state, occupation or individual circumstance. View the official BLS profile.