Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin

In Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN), the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $24.43 an hour ($50,810 a year). About 3,440 people work in this job there.

$24.43Median hourly pay
$42,100–$64,360Middle half of workers, yearly
3,440People in this job in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

That is 14% lower than the U.S. median ($59,350). It is 2% higher than the Tennessee median ($49,580).

Pay range for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$17.97$37,380
25% of workers$20.24$42,100
Half of workers (median)$24.43$50,810
75% of workers$30.94$64,360
90% of workers$37.50$78,000

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

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Chattanooga$55,270600
Morristown$50,99050
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (this page)$50,8103,440
Memphis$50,2601,560
Kingsport-Bristol$49,220250
Knoxville$48,9101,060
Johnson City$46,980220
Jackson$46,520420
Cleveland$44,820110
Clarksville$43,970590

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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)

JobMedian yearly pay
Child, Family, and School Social Workers$55,630
Healthcare Social Workers$65,040
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,550
Social and Human Service Assistants$43,860
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$54,250

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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.