The median annual wage of substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors was $38,120 in May 2010. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $24,690 and the top 10 percent earned more than $60,400.
In 2010, the median annual wages for substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors in the industries employing the most substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors were as follows:
| Hospitals; state, local, and private | $45,160 |
| Local government | 44,280 |
| Individual and family services | 37,020 |
| Outpatient mental health and substance abuse centers | 35,670 |
| Residential mental health and substance abuse facilities | 33,570 |
Most substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors work full time. In some settings, such as inpatient facilities, they may need to work evenings, nights, or weekends.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2012-13 Edition