Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Asheville is 680.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Asheville earn an average of $51,680 per year or $24.85 per hour.
  • The percentage of North Carolina Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Asheville is 8%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Asheville is less than 1%.

Rankings for Asheville

  • Ranks #8 in North Carolina for salary and #5 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #3 in North Carolina for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #203 in the nation for salary and #277 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #82 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to North Carolina

Asheville Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $51,680 or $24.85 per hour which is 2% less than the North Carolina average salary of $52,850.

AverageAshevilleNorth Carolina% Difference
Hourly Wage$24.85$25.41-2.20%
Annual Salary$51,680$52,850-2.21%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Asheville Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $51,680 or $24.85 per hour which is 3% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageAshevilleU.S.%
Hourly Wage$24.85$25.72-3.38%
Annual Salary$51,680$53,490-3.38%
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 Asheville earns an average annual salary of $56,119 which compares to the North Carolina average annual salary of $52,850. per year.

Cost-of-living in Asheville is 8% less than the North Carolina average, which means Asheville residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to North Carolina average.

  • North Carolina average salary is $52,850.
  • North Carolina cost-of-living adjusted salary is $57,546.
  • Asheville average salary is $51,680.
  • Asheville cost-of-living adjusted salary is $56,119.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Asheville$51,68092.09%$56,119
North Carolina$52,85091.84%$57,546
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 Asheville, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $38,430 and $61,330 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 $76,670, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $28,600, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year68Under $28,600
15%2 – 4 years102$28,600 – $38,430
25%5 – 9 years170$38,430 – $47,920
25%10 – 14 years170$47,920 – $61,330
15%15 – 20 years102$47,920 – $76,670
10%20+ years68Above $76,670
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 $51,680, Asheville Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($88,130), Psychology Teachers ($66,690), Health Care Social Workers ($60,030), and School Psychologists ($56,800).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($47,850), and Social Workers ($48,640).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$88,130
Psychology Teachers$66,690
Health Care Social Workers$60,030
School Psychologists$56,800
Substance Abuse Counselors$51,680
Social Workers$48,640
Marriage and Family Therapists$47,850
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Asheville Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Asheville is 680.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $51,680 per year or $24.85 per hour in Asheville.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Asheville Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $56,119 per year or $27 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Asheville are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($88,130), Psychology Teachers($66,690), Health Care Social Workers($60,030).


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

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