▼9%
$54,272
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
/ year
Avg. Base Salary (USD)
10%
$40k
MEDIAN
$54k
90%
$76k
The average salary for a Mental Health Counselor is $54,272 in 2025
Base Salary
$40k - $76k
Bonus
$390 - $5k
Profit Sharing
$0 - $4k
Total Pay
$39k - $84k
Is Average Mental Health Counselor with Counseling Skills Salary your job title? Find out what you should be paid
Use our tool to get a personalized report on your market worth.What's this?
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What is the Pay by Experience Level for Mental Health Counselors?
What Do Mental Health Counselors Do?
Find your market worth – how it works:
Common Health Benefits for a Mental Health Counselor
Medical
70%
Dental
61%
Vision
54%
None
29%
Gender Breakdown for Mental Health Counselors
Female
80.6%
Male
17.3%
Prefer to self-define
1.2%
This data is based on 346 survey responses. Learn more about the gender pay gap.
FAQs About Mental Health Counselors
What is the highest pay for Mental Health Counselors?
Our data indicates that the highest pay for a Mental Health Counselor is $76k / year
What is the lowest pay for Mental Health Counselors?
Our data indicates that the lowest pay for a Mental Health Counselor is $40k / year
How can Mental Health Counselors increase their salary?
Increasing your pay as a Mental Health Counselor is possible in different ways. Change of employer: Consider a career move to a new employer that is willing to pay higher for your skills. Level of Education: Gaining advanced degrees may allow this role to increase their income potential and qualify for promotions. Managing Experience: If you are a Mental Health Counselor that oversees more junior Mental Health Counselors, this experience can increase the likelihood to earn more.