Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. Salary (BLS): Mental Health Counselors: $44,960 on average per year . CACREP Accredited Online ... complete around 1,000 supervised practicum hours and complete a state examination in order to become licensed as a counselor. Salary ranges can vary widely depending on the city and many other important factors, including education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years you have spent in your profession. With a master’s degree in counseling, you can expect long-term career prospects with opportunities to advance your degree, your scope of practice, and your professional fulfillment. Graduate counseling programs provide the advanced clinical training necessary to move ahead in the mental health field. New Jersey beats the national average by 1.6%, and Massachusetts furthers that trend with another $2,106 (3.6%) above the $57,984. Mental Health Counselor Salary and Job Outlook. With a Ph.D. in Counseling, you could work in public or private practice as a licensed professional counselor. Depending on your area of specialization, you might work in mental health counseling, pastoral counseling, substance abuse counseling, family and marriage counseling, or school and career counseling. We’ve identified four states where the typical salary for a Mental Health Counselor job is above the national average. The average Licensed Mental Health Counselor salary in Alaska is $72,060 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $64,200 and $77,450. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the average mean annual salary for clinical, counseling and school psychologists collectively was $85,340 in 2018. Doctorate (PhD), Mental Health Counseling - Hourly Rate - Get a free salary comparison based on job title, skills, experience and education. The average Licensed Mental Health Counselor salary in Maryland is $66,278 as of October 28, 2020, but the range typically falls between $59,049 and $71,236. PhD in Counseling. The PhD in Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University is a unique program designed to train mental health counselors in advanced clinical and supervisory skills, prepare them to conduct research that will further the profession’s knowledge base, and foster the next generation of leaders who will be teachers and advocates for the mental health profession across the country. The average annual mental health counselor salary is $46,240 per year (note that licensed mental health counselors are grouped together with substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors by the BLS for reporting purposes). Topping the list is Massachusetts, with Hawaii and New Jersey close behind in second and third.