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SOC 21-1018·Community & Social ServiceGood pay · growing
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?(OES-specific code and title)
Median wage
$63,758
10-yr outlook
+25.2%by 2032
Openings / year
3,121
Workers in NY
22,450
How pay grows with experience
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?(OES-specific code and title) — typical pay by experience
Annual wages statewide: starting out, typical (median), and experienced.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Starting out (entry) | $47,177 |
| Median (typical) | $63,758 |
| Experienced | $83,175 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
Where it pays most across New York
Median pay for this occupation by region. Select a region for its full profile.
Substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?(OES-specific code and title) — median pay by region
Regional median annual wage, highest first.
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| New York City | $66,527 |
| Long Island | $64,077 |
| Hudson Valley | $63,166 |
| Central New York | $63,041 |
| Southern Tier | $62,822 |
| Finger Lakes | $60,015 |
| Mohawk Valley | $58,149 |
| Capital Region | $58,034 |
| Western New York | $57,798 |
| North Country | $57,562 |
Source: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (NYSDOL / U.S. BLS via data.ny.gov)
A realistic next step
Higher-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Community & Social Service) that pay more than this one. A plain “same field, higher pay” guide — not a skills-match score.
- Marriage and Family Therapists$66,788 median (+$3,030) · +24.3% by 2032
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$67,207 median (+$3,449) · +21.9% by 2032
- Healthcare Social Workers$69,084 median (+$5,326) · +25.3% by 2032
- Counselors, All Other$70,437 median (+$6,679) · +16.2% by 2032
- Educational, Guidance, School, and Vocational Counselors$71,804 median (+$8,046) · +20.4% by 2032
- Social Workers, All Other$77,058 median (+$13,300) · +20.7% by 2032
Ways in
Lower-paying roles in the same field
Jobs in the same field (Community & Social Service) that pay less than this one — often earlier-career roles or a way in.
- Health Educators$61,962 median (−$1,796) · +22.4% by 2032
- Clergy$60,583 median (−$3,175) · +21.3% by 2032
- Community Health Workers$58,498 median (−$5,260) · +23.0% by 2032
- Directors, Religious Activities and Education$56,849 median (−$6,909)
- Rehabilitation Counselors$50,030 median (−$13,728) · +22.4% by 2032
- Social and Human Service Assistants$47,461 median (−$16,297) · +24.3% by 2032
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