Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Pittsburgh is 3,270.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Pittsburgh earn an average of $48,560 per year or $23.34 per hour.
  • The percentage of Pennsylvania Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Pittsburgh is 18%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Pittsburgh is 1%.

Rankings for Pittsburgh

  • Ranks #6 in Pennsylvania for salary and #11 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in Pennsylvania for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #299 in the nation for salary and #159 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #18 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,560 or $23.34 per hour which is 1% less than the Pennsylvania average salary of $49,480.

AveragePittsburghPennsylvania% Difference
Hourly Wage$23.34$23.79-1.89%
Annual Salary$48,560$49,480-1.86%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Pittsburgh Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,560 or $23.34 per hour which is 9% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AveragePittsburghU.S.%
Hourly Wage$23.34$25.72-9.25%
Annual Salary$48,560$53,490-9.22%
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 Pittsburgh earns an average annual salary of $50,753 which compares to the Pennsylvania average annual salary of $49,480. per year.

Cost-of-living in Pittsburgh is 4% less than the Pennsylvania average, which means Pittsburgh residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Pennsylvania average.

  • Pennsylvania average salary is $49,480.
  • Pennsylvania cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,718.
  • Pittsburgh average salary is $48,560.
  • Pittsburgh cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,753.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Pittsburgh$48,56095.68%$50,753
Pennsylvania$49,48097.56%$50,718
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 Pittsburgh, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,460 and $60,230 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 $69,970, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $30,720, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year327Under $30,720
15%2 – 4 years490$30,720 – $37,460
25%5 – 9 years818$37,460 – $46,910
25%10 – 14 years818$46,910 – $60,230
15%15 – 20 years490$46,910 – $69,970
10%20+ years327Above $69,970
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 $48,560, Pittsburgh Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($91,610), Psychology Teachers ($84,800), School Psychologists ($82,420), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($80,730), Health Care Social Workers ($61,280), Social Workers ($50,010), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($49,420).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$91,610
Psychology Teachers$84,800
School Psychologists$82,420
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$80,730
Health Care Social Workers$61,280
Social Workers$50,010
Marriage and Family Therapists$49,420
Substance Abuse Counselors$48,560
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Pittsburgh Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Pittsburgh is 3,270.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $48,560 per year or $23.34 per hour in Pittsburgh.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Pittsburgh Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $50,753 per year or $24 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Pittsburgh are Forensic Psychologists($91,610), Psychology Teachers($84,800), School Psychologists($82,420).


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

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