Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Athens-Clarke County is 90.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Athens-Clarke County earn an average of $43,150 per year or $20.74 per hour.
  • The percentage of Georgia Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Athens-Clarke County is 2%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Athens-Clarke County is less than 1%.

Rankings for Athens-Clarke County

  • Ranks #11 in Georgia for salary and #6 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #11 in Georgia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #433 in the nation for salary and #341 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #443 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Georgia

Athens-Clarke County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,150 or $20.74 per hour which is 5% less than the Georgia average salary of $45,740.

AverageAthens-Clarke CountyGeorgia% Difference
Hourly Wage$20.74$21.99-5.68%
Annual Salary$43,150$45,740-5.66%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Athens-Clarke County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,150 or $20.74 per hour which is 19% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageAthens-Clarke CountyU.S.%
Hourly Wage$20.74$25.72-19.36%
Annual Salary$43,150$53,490-19.33%
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 Athens-Clarke County earns an average annual salary of $47,897 which compares to the Georgia average annual salary of $45,740. per year.

Cost-of-living in Athens-Clarke County is 10% less than the Georgia average, which means Athens-Clarke County residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Georgia average.

  • Georgia average salary is $45,740.
  • Georgia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $48,382.
  • Athens-Clarke County average salary is $43,150.
  • Athens-Clarke County cost-of-living adjusted salary is $47,897.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Athens-Clarke County$43,15090.09%$47,897
Georgia$45,74094.54%$48,382
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 Athens-Clarke County, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $30,750 and $49,130 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 $63,720, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $29,240, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year9Under $29,240
15%2 – 4 years14$29,240 – $30,750
25%5 – 9 years22$30,750 – $37,020
25%10 – 14 years22$37,020 – $49,130
15%15 – 20 years14$37,020 – $63,720
10%20+ years9Above $63,720
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 $43,150, Athens-Clarke County Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Health Care Social Workers ($46,150), and Social Workers ($44,910).

TitleAnnual Salary
Health Care Social Workers$46,150
Social Workers$44,910
Substance Abuse Counselors$43,150
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Athens-Clarke County Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Athens-Clarke County is 90.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,150 per year or $20.74 per hour in Athens-Clarke County.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Athens-Clarke County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,897 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Athens-Clarke County are Health Care Social Workers($46,150), Social Workers($44,910), Substance Abuse Counselors($43,150).


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

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