Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor Salary in Kentucky
Median annual pay in Kentucky
$54,190
$26.05/hour
BLS OEWS, May 2025
Adjusted for cost of living in Kentucky
$60,105
Regional Price Parity: 90.159 (U.S. = 100)
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Difference from the U.S. median ($59,350): −$5,160 (−8.7%)
Kentucky ranks 41st of 51 states by median pay, and 28th of 51 after adjusting for cost of living.
Pay
| Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| 25th percentile | $41,730 | $20.06 |
| Median | $54,190 | $26.05 |
| 75th percentile | $72,590 | $34.90 |
| 90th percentile | $83,070 | $39.94 |
Employment
- Employment in Kentucky
- 7,690
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Comparison
Compared with the U.S.
- Median annual pay in Kentucky
- $54,190
- Median annual pay in the U.S.
- $59,350
- Difference
- −$5,160 (−8.7%)
Cost of living
$54,190 ÷ 90.159 × 100 = $60,105
Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Ranking
| Rank | Median annual pay | Adjusted for cost of living (annual) |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | ||
| 39th | $55,490 | $58,828 32nd |
| New Hampshire | ||
| 40th | $54,840 | $52,647 50th |
| Kentucky This page | ||
| 41st | $54,190 | $60,105 28th |
| Indiana | ||
| 42nd | $53,760 | $57,603 34th |
| South Dakota | ||
| 43rd | $53,650 | $60,563 26th |
Similar occupations
Related occupations from O*NET, in O*NET's order, with their BLS median pay. Each figure shows the place it is for.
- Healthcare Social Worker salary in the U.S.
$67,880/year U.S.
- Rehabilitation Counselor salary in the U.S.
$46,850/year U.S.
- Recreational Therapist salary in the U.S.
$61,960/year U.S.
- Registered Nurse salary in Kentucky
$81,040/year Kentucky
- Psychiatrist salary in Kentucky
$237,770/year Kentucky
- Psychiatric Technician salary in the U.S.
$45,130/year U.S.
Outlook
- Projected employment change, 2025–35 (U.S.)
- +18.4%
- Typical education needed for entry (U.S.)
- Master's degree
BLS publishes employment projections only for the U.S. as a whole. BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35
Specialties included in this occupation
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Mental Health Counselors
BLS publishes one wage figure for all Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors; it does not publish separate data for these specialties.
O*NET 31.0
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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in nearby places
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Illinois
$60,730/year Illinois
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Indiana
$53,760/year Indiana
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Missouri
$56,910/year Missouri
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Ohio
$58,360/year Ohio
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Tennessee
$49,580/year Tennessee
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in Virginia
$59,880/year Virginia
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in West Virginia
$49,430/year West Virginia
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor salary in the U.S.
$59,350/year U.S.
Sources and update
- Wages and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
- Related occupations and specialties: O*NET® 31.0 Database, CC BY 4.0. Attributions
- Employment projections and typical education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Neighboring states: U.S. Census Bureau, County Adjacency File, 2024.
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