Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont

In San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA), the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $32.89 an hour ($68,400 a year). About 9,520 people work in this job there.

$32.89Median hourly pay
$55,190–$107,320Middle half of workers, yearly
9,520People in this job in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)

That is 15% higher than the U.S. median ($59,350). It is 15% higher than the California median ($59,250).

Pay range for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$23.10$48,050
25% of workers$26.54$55,190
Half of workers (median)$32.89$68,400
75% of workers$51.60$107,320
90% of workers$63.71$132,510

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$80,770350
Salinas$73,940620
El Centro$73,620220
Hanford-Corcoran$72,960190
Stockton-Lodi$72,7701,260
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$72,5502,550
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (this page)$68,4009,520
Vallejo$66,940670
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$64,9101,330
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$63,980870
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$63,010860
Chico$62,780380
Modesto$62,7001,390
Napa$62,580240
Visalia$62,500710
Yuba City$62,030270
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$61,0504,360
Merced$60,780420
Fresno$59,7902,150
Bakersfield-Delano$59,6201,730
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$58,790530
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$57,8806,980
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad$57,6606,500
Redding$56,340350
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$51,91026,960

California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors

  • Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
  • Training on the job: Internship/residency (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +18.4% over ten years, much faster than average · about 50,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Social and Human Service Assistants$57,580
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$72,020
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$94,600
Healthcare Social Workers$99,640
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$68,390
Community Health Workers$72,710
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$87,550
Health Education Specialists$99,260

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.