Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Louisville/Jefferson County is 1,190.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Louisville/Jefferson County earn an average of $48,200 per year or $23.17 per hour.
  • The percentage of Kentucky Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Louisville/Jefferson County is 30%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Louisville/Jefferson County is less than 1%.

Rankings for Louisville/Jefferson County

  • Ranks #1 in Kentucky for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Kentucky for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #309 in the nation for salary and #281 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #49 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Kentucky

Louisville/Jefferson County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,200 or $23.17 per hour which is 6% more than the Kentucky average salary of $45,310.

AverageLouisville/Jefferson CountyKentucky% Difference
Hourly Wage$23.17$21.796.33%
Annual Salary$48,200$45,3106.38%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Louisville/Jefferson County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,200 or $23.17 per hour which is 9% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageLouisville/Jefferson CountyU.S.%
Hourly Wage$23.17$25.72-9.91%
Annual Salary$48,200$53,490-9.89%
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 Louisville/Jefferson County earns an average annual salary of $52,443 which compares to the Kentucky average annual salary of $45,310. per year.

Cost-of-living in Louisville/Jefferson County is 8% less than the Kentucky average, which means Louisville/Jefferson County residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Kentucky average.

  • Kentucky average salary is $45,310.
  • Kentucky cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,468.
  • Louisville/Jefferson County average salary is $48,200.
  • Louisville/Jefferson County cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,443.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Louisville/Jefferson County$48,20091.91%$52,443
Kentucky$45,31089.78%$50,468
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 Louisville/Jefferson County, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,550 and $58,990 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 $65,530, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $30,600, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year119Under $30,600
15%2 – 4 years178$30,600 – $37,550
25%5 – 9 years298$37,550 – $47,560
25%10 – 14 years298$47,560 – $58,990
15%15 – 20 years178$47,560 – $65,530
10%20+ years119Above $65,530
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 $48,200, Louisville/Jefferson County Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($105,360), Forensic Psychologists ($101,850), School Psychologists ($82,150), Psychology Teachers ($64,820), Health Care Social Workers ($58,080), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($52,890).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Social Workers ($47,170).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$105,360
Forensic Psychologists$101,850
School Psychologists$82,150
Psychology Teachers$64,820
Health Care Social Workers$58,080
Marriage and Family Therapists$52,890
Substance Abuse Counselors$48,200
Social Workers$47,170
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Louisville/Jefferson County Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Louisville/Jefferson County is 1,190.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,200 per year or $23.17 per hour in Louisville/Jefferson County.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Louisville/Jefferson County Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $52,443 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Louisville/Jefferson County are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($105,360), Forensic Psychologists($101,850), School Psychologists($82,150).


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

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