Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin is 1,410.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin earn an average of $46,070 per year or $22.15 per hour.
  • The percentage of Tennessee Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin is 33%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin is less than 1%.

Rankings for Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin

  • Ranks #1 in Tennessee for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Tennessee for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #376 in the nation for salary and #126 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #45 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Tennessee

Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,070 or $22.15 per hour which is 9% more than the Tennessee average salary of $42,210.

AverageNashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–FranklinTennessee% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.15$20.299.17%
Annual Salary$46,070$42,2109.14%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,070 or $22.15 per hour which is 13% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageNashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–FranklinU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.15$25.72-13.88%
Annual Salary$46,070$53,490-13.87%
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 Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin earns an average annual salary of $47,505 which compares to the Tennessee average annual salary of $42,210. per year.

Cost-of-living in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin is 3% less than the Tennessee average, which means Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin 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.
  • Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin average salary is $46,070.
  • Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin cost-of-living adjusted salary is $47,505.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin$46,07096.98%$47,505
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 Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $30,600 and $52,010 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 $64,180, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $29,010, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year141Under $29,010
15%2 – 4 years212$29,010 – $30,600
25%5 – 9 years352$30,600 – $38,870
25%10 – 14 years352$38,870 – $52,010
15%15 – 20 years212$38,870 – $64,180
10%20+ years141Above $64,180
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 $46,070, Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($109,700), Psychology Teachers ($87,630), School Psychologists ($62,660), Health Care Social Workers ($55,910), Social Workers ($46,960), and Marriage and Family Therapists ($46,470).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$109,700
Psychology Teachers$87,630
School Psychologists$62,660
Health Care Social Workers$55,910
Social Workers$46,960
Marriage and Family Therapists$46,470
Substance Abuse Counselors$46,070
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin is 1,410.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,070 per year or $22.15 per hour in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,505 per year or $23 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Nashville-Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($109,700), Psychology Teachers($87,630), School Psychologists($62,660).


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