Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor salary
From 71 certified H-1B filings (FY2025–FY2026). Base salary only.
- Occupation code 21-1011: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
At a glance
- Mostly Level II (mid-level). 57% of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor filings are Level II, compared with 42% across all H-1B filings.
- Median up 27% since FY2020. From $49,895 in FY2020 to $63,513 in FY2026 (Q1–Q3). Nominal, not adjusted for inflation.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor H-1B salary overview
Employers filed 71 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor jobs in FY2025–FY2026 (occupation code 21-1011, Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors). The median base salary is $60,000, 51% below the median for all H-1B filings ($122,699), and half of the filings fall between $54,727 and $69,771. The most common wage level is Level II (mid-level), at 57% of filings.
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Percentiles from certified H-1B filings, base salary only. Metro areas with at least 10 filings.
Pay by level
Entry-level · 43% of filings
Mid-level · 57% of filings
Senior · 0% of filings
Expert · 0% of filings
Show the table
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Level I · Entry | $54,402 | 24 |
| Level II · Qualified | $60,000 | 32 |
| Level III · Experienced | – | 0 |
| Level IV · Fully competent | – | 0 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor pay by city
Median base salary in each metro area. Rent: HUD Fair Market Rent, FY2027.
Show all 1 metro areas
| Metro area | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| New York, NY | $60,000 | 15 |
Metro areas with at least 10 filings for this occupation.
What a Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor does
Counsel and advise individuals with alcohol, tobacco, drug, or other problems, such as gambling and eating disorders. May counsel individuals, families, or groups or engage in prevention programs.
Typical tasks
- Counsel clients or patients, individually or in group sessions, to assist in overcoming dependencies, adjusting to life, or making changes.
- Attend training sessions to increase knowledge and skills.
- Develop client treatment plans based on research, clinical experience, and client histories.
- Complete and maintain accurate records or reports regarding the patients' histories and progress, services provided, or other required information.
- Review and evaluate clients' progress in relation to measurable goals described in treatment and care plans.
- Plan or implement follow-up or aftercare programs for clients to be discharged from treatment programs.
Preparation
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
O*NET occupation: Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors (21-1011.00). This section includes information from the 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.
Salary details
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $47,174 |
| 25th | $54,727 |
| 50th (median) | $60,000 |
| 75th | $69,771 |
| 90th | $82,742 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $49,895 | $44,010 | $53,763 | 22 |
| FY2021 | $43,000 | $38,917 | $47,840 | 25 |
| FY2022 | $46,000 | $42,099 | $54,309 | 37 |
| FY2023 | $55,536 | $45,589 | $71,400 | 27 |
| FY2024 | $62,400 | $56,050 | $72,950 | 19 |
| FY2025 | $60,000 | $51,272 | $67,974 | 51 |
| FY2026 | $63,513 | $55,120 | $70,059 | 20 |
Questions
How much does an H-1B Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor make?
The median base salary in certified H-1B filings for Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor jobs is $60,000 (71 filings, FY2025–FY2026). Half of the filings are between $54,727 and $69,771.
What does an entry-level Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor earn on an H-1B?
Level I (entry-level) filings have a median of $54,402. Level I accounts for 43% of Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselor filings.