Mental Health Counselor Salary in Alabama
State-level salary data from BLS OES and H-1B filings
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (AL)
$47,310
$22.75/hr
vs National Average
$59,385
-20.3% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$34K – $77K
Salary Distribution — Mental Health Counselor in Alabama
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $34,420 |
| 25th percentile | $39,430 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $47,310 |
| 75th percentile | $62,670 |
| 90th percentile | $76,510 |
Top-Paying Industries for Mental Health Counselor (U.S.)
Which industries pay Mental Health Counselors the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Mental Health Counselors in Alabama tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $80,880 | 1K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $66,530 | 35K |
| Educational Services | $62,070 | 35K |
| Administrative and Support Services | $60,480 | 5K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $60,460 | 3K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Mental Health Counselor in Alabama vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Alabama) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,310 |
| 2026 (projected) | $48,729 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Alabama Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,310 | $59,385 |
| 2026 (projected) | $48,729 | $61,167 |
Mental Health Counselor Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $39,430 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $47,310 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $62,670 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $76,510 |
Mental Health Counselor Salary in Other States
Related Mental Health Counselor Salaries in Alabama
How other high-demand occupations in Alabama compare to Mental Health Counselor ($47,310 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Mental Health Counselor | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardiologist in AL | $519,480 | +998.0% | $249.75/hr |
| Anesthesiologist in AL | $392,350 | +729.3% | $188.63/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in AL | $311,180 | +557.7% | $149.61/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in AL | $210,380 | +344.7% | $101.14/hr |
| Pediatrician in AL | $209,490 | +342.8% | $100.72/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in AL | $190,300 | +302.2% | $91.49/hr |
| Podiatrist in AL | $161,820 | +242.0% | $77.80/hr |
| Optometrist in AL | $145,090 | +206.7% | $69.75/hr |
| Pharmacist in AL | $134,630 | +184.6% | $64.73/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in AL | $134,550 | +184.4% | $64.69/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in AL | $105,750 | +123.5% | $50.84/hr |
| Veterinarian in AL | $105,630 | +123.3% | $50.78/hr |