How Do Clinical Mental Health Counselor Salaries Compare Across the United States?
When considering a career in clinical mental health counseling, one important factor to think about is salary. It’s common knowledge that some states pay more than others in any given profession, but how do clinical mental health counselor salaries compare across the United States? In this article, we’ll explore the topic in depth, examining salaries by state, education level, and experience.
Salaries by State
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for clinical mental health counselors in the United States as of May 2020 is $47,660. However, this number can vary greatly depending on location.
At the state level, the highest paying states for clinical mental health counselors are New Jersey, District of Columbia, Oregon, Hawaii, and Alaska. These states all pay above $60,000 per year on average. On the other hand, the lowest paying states for clinical mental health counselors are South Dakota, West Virginia, North Dakota, Arkansas, and Mississippi. These states all pay below $40,000 per year on average.
While salary is not the only factor to consider when choosing a career, location can play a significant role in overall job satisfaction and quality of life.
Salaries by Education Level
Education level is another important factor in determining salary for clinical mental health counselors. In general, those with higher levels of education tend to earn more money.
According to Payscale, clinical mental health counselors with a master’s degree earn an average of $48,000 per year. In comparison, those with a bachelor’s degree earn an average of $41,000 per year. This suggests that pursuing a higher level of education could pay off financially in the long run.
Salaries by Experience
Experience is also a key factor in determining salary for clinical mental health counselors. As with many professions, those with more years of experience tend to earn higher salaries.
Payscale reports the following average salaries based on years of experience:
- Less than 1 year: $41,000 per year
- 1-4 years: $45,000 per year
- 5-9 years: $51,000 per year
- 10-19 years: $56,000 per year
- 20 years or more: $60,000 per year
This data confirms that clinical mental health counselors can expect to see increases in salary as they gain more experience in the field.
Conclusion
In summary, clinical mental health counselor salaries vary greatly across the United States. Location, education level, and experience are all important factors to consider when determining potential earnings in this field. While salary is not the only consideration when choosing a career, it is an important one, and it’s worth doing research to determine how your salary may vary depending on where you live, your education level, and your level of experience.
