Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area is 510.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area earn an average of $47,230 per year or $22.71 per hour.
  • The percentage of Virginia Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area is 4%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area is less than 1%.

Rankings for Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area

  • Ranks #11 in Virginia for salary and #10 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #5 in Virginia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #330 in the nation for salary and #467 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #116 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Virginia

Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,230 or $22.71 per hour which is 11% less than the Virginia average salary of $53,210.

AverageSouthwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan AreaVirginia% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.71$25.58-11.22%
Annual Salary$47,230$53,210-11.24%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,230 or $22.71 per hour which is 11% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageSouthwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan AreaU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.71$25.72-11.70%
Annual Salary$47,230$53,490-11.70%
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 Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area earns an average annual salary of $54,658 which compares to the Virginia average annual salary of $53,210. per year.

Cost-of-living in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area is 14% less than the Virginia average, which means Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Virginia average.

  • Virginia average salary is $53,210.
  • Virginia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,694.
  • Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area average salary is $47,230.
  • Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area cost-of-living adjusted salary is $54,658.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area$47,23086.41%$54,658
Virginia$53,210100.98%$52,694
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 Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,060 and $51,370 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 $71,600, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $34,940, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year51Under $34,940
15%2 – 4 years76$34,940 – $37,060
25%5 – 9 years128$37,060 – $46,490
25%10 – 14 years128$46,490 – $51,370
15%15 – 20 years76$46,490 – $71,600
10%20+ years51Above $71,600
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 $47,230, Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($92,320).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Social Workers ($43,880), and Health Care Social Workers ($45,440).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$92,320
Substance Abuse Counselors$47,230
Health Care Social Workers$45,440
Social Workers$43,880
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area is 510.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,230 per year or $22.71 per hour in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $54,658 per year or $26 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Southwest Virginia Nonmetropolitan Area are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($92,320), Substance Abuse Counselors($47,230), Health Care Social Workers($45,440).


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

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