Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in Kentucky

In Kentucky, the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $26.05 an hour ($54,190 a year). About 7,690 people work in this job there.

$26.05Median hourly pay

$41,730–$72,590Middle half of workers, yearly

7,690People in this job in Kentucky

That is 9% lower than the U.S. median ($59,350). Kentucky ranks 41st of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Kentucky

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$16.90	$35,150
25% of workers	$20.06	$41,730
Half of workers (median)	$26.05	$54,190
75% of workers	$34.90	$72,590
90% of workers	$39.94	$83,070

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Elizabethtown	$58,720	260
Paducah	$58,240	140
Lexington-Fayette	$58,190	970
Bowling Green	$57,720	370
Owensboro	$51,770	220
Louisville/Jefferson County	$50,970	2,870

Kentucky 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 Kentucky

Job	Median yearly pay
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$59,100
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$64,350
Social and Human Service Assistants	$37,440
Healthcare Social Workers	$64,080
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$42,570
Community Health Workers	$48,230
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$59,610
Rehabilitation Counselors	$58,540

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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.