Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk
In Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA), the median pay for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors is $28.50 an hour ($59,280 a year). About 3,760 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($59,350). It is about the same as the Virginia median ($59,880).
Pay range for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $17.91 | $37,240 |
| 25% of workers | $22.59 | $46,990 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.50 | $59,280 |
| 75% of workers | $36.71 | $76,350 |
| 90% of workers | $46.54 | $96,790 |
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Harrisonburg | $61,830 | 260 |
| Lynchburg | $60,220 | 780 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (this page) | $59,280 | 3,760 |
| Richmond | $57,860 | 4,150 |
| Charlottesville | $57,220 | 0 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft | $55,060 | 190 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford | $52,060 | 730 |
| Roanoke | $52,040 | 570 |
| Winchester | $50,580 | 340 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk (VA)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,360 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $69,840 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $39,160 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.