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METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in Chicago, Illinois

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Chicago metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$61,150
Mean annual$70,920
Range (10th to 90th)$44,330 to $114,400
Chicago, Illinois employment14,010
State vs national+3.8% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Chicago substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors fall on the wage curve.

Annual wage distribution

Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)

10TH$44,33025TH$47,980MEDIAN$61,15075TH$83,77090TH$114,400

The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,980 and $83,770, with a median of $61,150.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Bachelor's degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    Internship/residency

Top skills (O*NET)

Skill data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation. We refresh this section when O*NET publishes a new release.

Common tasks (O*NET)

Task data from O*NET is not yet ingested for this occupation.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Chicago, Illinois?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the Chicago metropolitan area is $61,150.
Does Chicago pay more than the Illinois state average for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The Chicago metro median is +2.7% versus the Illinois state median of $59,570.
How does Chicago compare to the national median for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The Chicago metro median is +3.8% versus the BLS national figure of $58,910.
What is the salary range for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Chicago?
BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $44,330 and the 90th-percentile at $114,400 for the Chicago metro area.
What education is required for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Chicago CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.