Career Profile
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors
Mental Health Counselors counsel and advise individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health, with an emphasis on prevention.
General Information
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.
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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors
Occupational Outlook
For the Rural Capital Area
Job Opportunities
Over the next five years, an average of 129 openings per year are projected for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors.
Employment Change
Employment for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors is forecasted to increase significantly more than the regional average by 22.1% between 2023 and 2028.
Earnings Potential
An average worker in this occupation is paid $22.46/hour. Entry level workers are paid $16.68, while experienced workers are paid $27.88. The median wage is comparable to average regional wages across occupations.
Local Employment Opportunities
There are 834 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors in the RCA region. By 2028 this number could reach 1,018.
Top 5 Employing Industries, Locally
The top industries employing Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors are Residential Intellectual and Developmental Disability, Mental Health, and Substance Abuse Facilities, Individual and Family Services, and Outpatient Care Centers.
Knowledge Areas
The top most significant knowledge categories for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors include Therapy and Counseling, Psychology, and Education and Training.
Educational Attainment Patterns
The most common level of education for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, & Mental Health Counselors is Postgraduate degree. 74% of people employed in these roles have some form of college degree.