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

In Tennessee, the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $23.84 an hour ($49,580 a year). About 9,040 people work in this job there.

$23.84Median hourly pay

$39,160–$61,160Middle half of workers, yearly

9,040People in this job in Tennessee

That is 16% lower than the U.S. median ($59,350). Tennessee ranks 47th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

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

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$16.80	$34,950
25% of workers	$18.83	$39,160
Half of workers (median)	$23.84	$49,580
75% of workers	$29.41	$61,160
90% of workers	$36.84	$76,620

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

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Chattanooga	$55,270	600
Morristown	$50,990	50
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin	$50,810	3,440
Memphis	$50,260	1,560
Kingsport-Bristol	$49,220	250
Knoxville	$48,910	1,060
Johnson City	$46,980	220
Jackson	$46,520	420
Cleveland	$44,820	110
Clarksville	$43,970	590

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

Job	Median yearly pay
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$56,310
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$59,960
Healthcare Social Workers	$61,240
Social and Human Service Assistants	$40,310
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$46,500
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$58,010
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other	$53,850
Social Workers, All Other	$51,460

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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.