Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 3,110.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell earn an average of $47,530 per year or $22.85 per hour.
  • The percentage of Georgia Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 57%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 1%.

Rankings for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell

  • Ranks #3 in Georgia for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Georgia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #322 in the nation for salary and #103 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #21 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Georgia

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,530 or $22.85 per hour which is 3% more than the Georgia average salary of $45,740.

AverageAtlanta-Sandy Springs-RoswellGeorgia% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.85$21.993.91%
Annual Salary$47,530$45,7403.91%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,530 or $22.85 per hour which is 11% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageAtlanta-Sandy Springs-RoswellU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.85$25.72-11.16%
Annual Salary$47,530$53,490-11.14%
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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell earns an average annual salary of $48,421 which compares to the Georgia average annual salary of $45,740. per year.

Cost-of-living in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 2% less than the Georgia average, which means Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell 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.
  • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell average salary is $47,530.
  • Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell cost-of-living adjusted salary is $48,421.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell$47,53098.16%$48,421
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 Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,340 and $54,940 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 $63,310, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $30,730, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year311Under $30,730
15%2 – 4 years466$30,730 – $37,340
25%5 – 9 years778$37,340 – $46,920
25%10 – 14 years778$46,920 – $54,940
15%15 – 20 years466$46,920 – $63,310
10%20+ years311Above $63,310
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 $47,530, Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($101,260), Psychology Teachers ($87,620), School Psychologists ($83,720), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($75,500), Health Care Social Workers ($58,620), Social Workers ($51,110), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($48,860).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$101,260
Psychology Teachers$87,620
School Psychologists$83,720
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$75,500
Health Care Social Workers$58,620
Social Workers$51,110
Marriage and Family Therapists$48,860
Substance Abuse Counselors$47,530
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell is 3,110.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,530 per year or $22.85 per hour in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,421 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell are Forensic Psychologists($101,260), Psychology Teachers($87,620), School Psychologists($83,720).


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