Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $29.62 an hour ($61,600 a year). About 15,580 people work in this job there.

$29.62Median hourly pay

$47,770–$82,950Middle half of workers, yearly

15,580People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 4% higher than the U.S. median ($59,350). It is about the same as the Illinois median ($60,730).

Pay range for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$20.68	$43,010
25% of workers	$22.96	$47,770
Half of workers (median)	$29.62	$61,600
75% of workers	$39.88	$82,950
90% of workers	$55.18	$114,770

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Champaign-Urbana	$68,300	310
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)	$61,600	15,580
Springfield	$59,450	270
Kankakee	$59,440	130
Peoria	$57,350	560
Bloomington	$55,890	280
Rockford	$53,670	460
Decatur	$51,740	130

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (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 Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Job	Median yearly pay
Social and Human Service Assistants	$47,180
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$64,790
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$64,730
Healthcare Social Workers	$71,430
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$57,720
Rehabilitation Counselors	$49,350
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$41,240
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$67,610

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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.