Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $26.68 an hour ($55,490 a year). About 10,300 people work in this job there.

$26.68Median hourly pay

$45,100–$68,610Middle half of workers, yearly

10,300People in this job in North Carolina

That is 7% lower than the U.S. median ($59,350). North Carolina ranks 39th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

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

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.00	$37,440
25% of workers	$21.68	$45,100
Half of workers (median)	$26.68	$55,490
75% of workers	$32.98	$68,610
90% of workers	$41.35	$86,010

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Raleigh-Cary	$59,600	1,400
Durham-Chapel Hill	$59,560	680
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia	$56,130	3,380
Greenville	$55,490	170
Asheville	$53,090	680
Jacksonville	$52,620	80
Rocky Mount	$52,060	120
Greensboro-High Point	$51,410	480
Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton	$51,060	310
Burlington	$50,440	90
Goldsboro	$49,990	110
Wilmington	$48,970	480
Fayetteville	$47,980	320
Winston-Salem	$47,620	380
Pinehurst-Southern Pines	$46,380	150

North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 North Carolina

Job	Median yearly pay
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$59,610
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$57,630
Social and Human Service Assistants	$42,850
Healthcare Social Workers	$63,280
Rehabilitation Counselors	$45,890
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$58,210
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$54,820
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$62,220

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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.