Is Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors a good career in 2026?▼
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors has a Career Health Score of 80/100, rated "Excellent." Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is an excellent career choice with strong growth and stability. Highly recommended. The median salary is $53,710 per year. Employment is projected to grow 22% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average.
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make?▼
The median annual salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is $53,710 as of 2023. The bottom 10% earn around $34,240, while the top 10% earn over $90,930. The 75th percentile salary is $70,630.
What education do you need to become a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselor?▼
The typical entry-level education for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is bachelor's degree. New hires typically receive moderate-term on-the-job training of on-the-job training.
Will AI replace Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?▼
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are relatively safe from AI automation, with an AI exposure score of 15%. The overall impact is classified as "Augmented." Key tasks that remain difficult to automate include conducting individual and group counseling sessions and providing relapse prevention support and crisis intervention.
What is the job outlook for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?▼
Employment for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors is projected to grow 22% from 2022 to 2032, which is much faster than average. The economy is expected to add approximately 42,500 openings per year, including replacements for workers who transfer or retire.
What skills do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors need?▼
The most important skills for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors include Motivational Interviewing, Active Listening, Empathy, Substance Abuse Treatment Models, Crisis Intervention. Strong soft skills like Active Listening and Empathy are also essential.