Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua is 10,630.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua earn an average of $55,570 per year or $26.72 per hour.
  • The percentage of Massachusetts Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua is 62%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua is 3%.

Rankings for Boston-Cambridge-Nashua

  • Ranks #4 in Massachusetts for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Massachusetts for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #110 in the nation for salary and #21 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #3 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Massachusetts

Boston-Cambridge-Nashua Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $55,570 or $26.72 per hour which is almost same as Massachusetts average salary of $55,160.

AverageBoston-Cambridge-NashuaMassachusetts% Difference
Hourly Wage$26.72$26.520.75%
Annual Salary$55,570$55,1600.74%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Boston-Cambridge-Nashua Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $55,570 or $26.72 per hour which is 3% more than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageBoston-Cambridge-NashuaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$26.72$25.723.89%
Annual Salary$55,570$53,4903.89%
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 Boston-Cambridge-Nashua earns an average annual salary of $51,118 which compares to the Massachusetts average annual salary of $55,160. per year.

Cost-of-living in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua is 9% higher than the Massachusetts average, which means Boston-Cambridge-Nashua residents have an overall higher cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Massachusetts average.

  • Massachusetts average salary is $55,160.
  • Massachusetts cost-of-living adjusted salary is $51,340.
  • Boston-Cambridge-Nashua average salary is $55,570.
  • Boston-Cambridge-Nashua cost-of-living adjusted salary is $51,118.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua$55,570108.71%$51,118
Massachusetts$55,160107.44%$51,340
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 Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $39,590 and $63,340 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 $80,520, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $38,650, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year1,063Under $38,650
15%2 – 4 years1,594$38,650 – $39,590
25%5 – 9 years2,658$39,590 – $48,960
25%10 – 14 years2,658$48,960 – $63,340
15%15 – 20 years1,594$48,960 – $80,520
10%20+ years1,063Above $80,520
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 $55,570, Boston-Cambridge-Nashua Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Psychology Teachers ($101,560), Forensic Psychologists ($98,590), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($95,390), School Psychologists ($94,800), Health Care Social Workers ($66,440), and Social Workers ($60,520).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($53,360).

TitleAnnual Salary
Psychology Teachers$101,560
Forensic Psychologists$98,590
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$95,390
School Psychologists$94,800
Health Care Social Workers$66,440
Social Workers$60,520
Substance Abuse Counselors$55,570
Marriage and Family Therapists$53,360
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Boston-Cambridge-Nashua Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua is 10,630.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $55,570 per year or $26.72 per hour in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $51,118 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Boston-Cambridge-Nashua are Psychology Teachers($101,560), Forensic Psychologists($98,590), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($95,390).


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

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