Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Chattanooga is 340.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Chattanooga earn an average of $43,350 per year or $20.84 per hour.
  • The percentage of Tennessee Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Chattanooga is 8%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Chattanooga is less than 1%.

Rankings for Chattanooga

  • Ranks #3 in Tennessee for salary and #3 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #4 in Tennessee for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #430 in the nation for salary and #278 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #168 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Tennessee

Chattanooga Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,350 or $20.84 per hour which is 2% more than the Tennessee average salary of $42,210.

AverageChattanoogaTennessee% Difference
Hourly Wage$20.84$20.292.71%
Annual Salary$43,350$42,2102.70%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Chattanooga Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,350 or $20.84 per hour which is 18% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageChattanoogaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$20.84$25.72-18.97%
Annual Salary$43,350$53,490-18.96%
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 Chattanooga earns an average annual salary of $47,104 which compares to the Tennessee average annual salary of $42,210. per year.

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

  • Tennessee average salary is $42,210.
  • Tennessee cost-of-living adjusted salary is $45,806.
  • Chattanooga average salary is $43,350.
  • Chattanooga cost-of-living adjusted salary is $47,104.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Chattanooga$43,35092.03%$47,104
Tennessee$42,21092.15%$45,806
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 Chattanooga, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $30,640 and $49,590 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 $62,500, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $28,700, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year34Under $28,700
15%2 – 4 years51$28,700 – $30,640
25%5 – 9 years85$30,640 – $37,870
25%10 – 14 years85$37,870 – $49,590
15%15 – 20 years51$37,870 – $62,500
10%20+ years34Above $62,500
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 $43,350, Chattanooga Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($100,510), School Psychologists ($64,950), Psychology Teachers ($61,710), Health Care Social Workers ($59,250), and Social Workers ($46,010).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Marriage and Family Therapists ($40,220).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$100,510
School Psychologists$64,950
Psychology Teachers$61,710
Health Care Social Workers$59,250
Social Workers$46,010
Substance Abuse Counselors$43,350
Marriage and Family Therapists$40,220
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Chattanooga Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Chattanooga is 340.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,350 per year or $20.84 per hour in Chattanooga.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Chattanooga Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,104 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Chattanooga are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($100,510), School Psychologists($64,950), Psychology Teachers($61,710).


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

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