Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Memphis is 890.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Memphis earn an average of $42,390 per year or $20.38 per hour.
  • The percentage of Tennessee Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Memphis is 21%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Memphis is less than 1%.

Rankings for Memphis

  • Ranks #5 in Tennessee for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in Tennessee for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #447 in the nation for salary and #242 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #58 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Tennessee

Memphis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,390 or $20.38 per hour which is almost same as Tennessee average salary of $42,210.

AverageMemphisTennessee% Difference
Hourly Wage$20.38$20.290.44%
Annual Salary$42,390$42,2100.43%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Memphis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,390 or $20.38 per hour which is 20% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageMemphisU.S.%
Hourly Wage$20.38$25.72-20.76%
Annual Salary$42,390$53,490-20.75%
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 Memphis earns an average annual salary of $45,718 which compares to the Tennessee average annual salary of $42,210. per year.

Cost-of-living in Memphis is 7% less than the Tennessee average, which means Memphis 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.
  • Memphis average salary is $42,390.
  • Memphis cost-of-living adjusted salary is $45,718.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Memphis$42,39092.72%$45,718
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 Memphis, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $30,160 and $47,530 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 $62,540, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $28,500, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year89Under $28,500
15%2 – 4 years134$28,500 – $30,160
25%5 – 9 years222$30,160 – $37,750
25%10 – 14 years222$37,750 – $47,530
15%15 – 20 years134$37,750 – $62,540
10%20+ years89Above $62,540
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 $42,390, Memphis Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($118,390), Forensic Psychologists ($83,140), Psychology Teachers ($77,540), School Psychologists ($76,740), Health Care Social Workers ($55,480), Social Workers ($45,750), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($44,100).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$118,390
Forensic Psychologists$83,140
Psychology Teachers$77,540
School Psychologists$76,740
Health Care Social Workers$55,480
Social Workers$45,750
Marriage and Family Therapists$44,100
Substance Abuse Counselors$42,390
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Memphis Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Memphis is 890.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,390 per year or $20.38 per hour in Memphis.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Memphis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $45,718 per year or $22 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Memphis are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($118,390), Forensic Psychologists($83,140), Psychology Teachers($77,540).


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