Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis is 2,010.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis earn an average of $49,020 per year or $23.57 per hour.
  • The percentage of Wisconsin Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis is 36%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis is 1%.

Rankings for Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis

  • Ranks #16 in Wisconsin for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Wisconsin for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #287 in the nation for salary and #153 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #31 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Wisconsin

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $49,020 or $23.57 per hour which is 5% less than the Wisconsin average salary of $52,010.

AverageMilwaukee-Waukesha-West AllisWisconsin% Difference
Hourly Wage$23.57$25.01-5.76%
Annual Salary$49,020$52,010-5.75%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $49,020 or $23.57 per hour which is 8% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageMilwaukee-Waukesha-West AllisU.S.%
Hourly Wage$23.57$25.72-8.36%
Annual Salary$49,020$53,490-8.36%
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis earns an average annual salary of $51,100 which compares to the Wisconsin average annual salary of $52,010. per year.

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

  • Wisconsin average salary is $52,010.
  • Wisconsin cost-of-living adjusted salary is $55,811.
  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis average salary is $49,020.
  • Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis cost-of-living adjusted salary is $51,100.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis$49,02095.93%$51,100
Wisconsin$52,01093.19%$55,811
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 Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $36,910 and $59,770 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 $64,220, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $36,910, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year201Under $36,910
15%2 – 4 years302$36,910 – $36,910
25%5 – 9 years502$36,910 – $46,910
25%10 – 14 years502$46,910 – $59,770
15%15 – 20 years302$46,910 – $64,220
10%20+ years201Above $64,220
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 $49,020, Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Forensic Psychologists ($90,700), Psychology Teachers ($85,400), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($85,380), School Psychologists ($77,420), Health Care Social Workers ($62,470), Marriage and Family Therapists ($59,910), and Social Workers ($50,040).

TitleAnnual Salary
Forensic Psychologists$90,700
Psychology Teachers$85,400
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$85,380
School Psychologists$77,420
Health Care Social Workers$62,470
Marriage and Family Therapists$59,910
Social Workers$50,040
Substance Abuse Counselors$49,020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis is 2,010.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $49,020 per year or $23.57 per hour in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $51,100 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis are Forensic Psychologists($90,700), Psychology Teachers($85,400), Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($85,380).


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

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