Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Birmingham-Hoover is 810.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Birmingham-Hoover earn an average of $45,580 per year or $21.91 per hour.
  • The percentage of Alabama Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Birmingham-Hoover is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Birmingham-Hoover is less than 1%.

Rankings for Birmingham-Hoover

  • Ranks #4 in Alabama for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Alabama for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #387 in the nation for salary and #245 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #65 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Alabama

Birmingham-Hoover Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $45,580 or $21.91 per hour which is 5% more than the Alabama average salary of $43,250.

AverageBirmingham-HooverAlabama% Difference
Hourly Wage$21.91$20.795.39%
Annual Salary$45,580$43,2505.39%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Birmingham-Hoover Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $45,580 or $21.91 per hour which is 14% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageBirmingham-HooverU.S.%
Hourly Wage$21.91$25.72-14.81%
Annual Salary$45,580$53,490-14.79%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Substance Abuse Counselors in Birmingham-Hoover earns an average annual salary of $49,196 which compares to the Alabama average annual salary of $43,250. per year.

Cost-of-living in Birmingham-Hoover is 7% less than the Alabama average, which means Birmingham-Hoover residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Alabama average.

  • Alabama average salary is $43,250.
  • Alabama cost-of-living adjusted salary is $48,459.
  • Birmingham-Hoover average salary is $45,580.
  • Birmingham-Hoover cost-of-living adjusted salary is $49,196.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Birmingham-Hoover$45,58092.65%$49,196
Alabama$43,25089.25%$48,459
U.S.$53,490$53,490
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Birmingham-Hoover, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,260 and $50,390 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn more than $62,950, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $30,200, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year81Under $30,200
15%2 – 4 years122$30,200 – $37,260
25%5 – 9 years202$37,260 – $44,060
25%10 – 14 years202$44,060 – $50,390
15%15 – 20 years122$44,060 – $62,950
10%20+ years81Above $62,950
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $45,580, Birmingham-Hoover Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($109,550), Forensic Psychologists ($93,140), Psychology Teachers ($92,850), School Psychologists ($62,800), Health Care Social Workers ($54,280), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($45,960).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Social Workers ($45,380).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$109,550
Forensic Psychologists$93,140
Psychology Teachers$92,850
School Psychologists$62,800
Health Care Social Workers$54,280
Marriage and Family Therapists$45,960
Substance Abuse Counselors$45,580
Social Workers$45,380
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Birmingham-Hoover Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Birmingham-Hoover is 810.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $45,580 per year or $21.91 per hour in Birmingham-Hoover.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Birmingham-Hoover Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $49,196 per year or $24 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Birmingham-Hoover are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($109,550), Forensic Psychologists($93,140), Psychology Teachers($92,850).


Additional Salary Reports for Substance Abuse Counselors in Alabama cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Substance Abuse Counselors: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data