Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Birmingham, AL, earn an average annual salary of $54,060. This figure is notably below the national average of $64,100, suggesting that local market dynamics and potentially lower demand influence compensation in this region. The specific economic conditions and the concentration of these roles within Birmingham's workforce contribute to this pay differential.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $54,060 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $76,140.
- Outlook: The job market for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Birmingham, AL, appears to be moderately concentrated, with a Location Quotient of 0.6 indicating a lower presence compared to the national average. The total local workforce of 890 professionals, coupled with 1.72 jobs per 1,000 workers, suggests a stable but not rapidly expanding demand for these specialized services within the city.
Salary Overview
The average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Birmingham, AL earns-15.7%below the national average.
$26
$1,040
$4,505
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Birmingham is not provided, it is reasonable to assume a general upward trend in salaries for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic shifts and increasing awareness of mental health needs likely contribute to gradual salary growth, even if local averages remain below the national benchmark.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary Distribution in Birmingham, AL
Career progression for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start at a lower percentile, while senior counselors with extensive experience and specialized skills can command salaries well above the average. The widening gap between entry-level and senior roles reflects the value placed on expertise and proven effectiveness in the field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty. | 10% (Entry) | $37,670 | $18.1 |
| Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development. | 25% (Junior) | $40,545 | $19.5 |
| Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers. | 50% (Median) | $50,650 | $24.4 |
| Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP. | 75% (Senior) | $67,575 | $32.5 |
| AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant. | 90% (Expert) | $76,140 | $36.6 |
Detailed Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$54,060
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$54,060
Adjusted for COL (100)
Birmingham, AL, presents a neutral cost of living environment, with an index of 100, aligning perfectly with the national average. This means that the nominal salary of $54,060 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Birmingham offers purchasing power equivalent to the national average. Therefore, while the salary is lower than the national average, the cost of living does not exacerbate the difference in real terms.
Job Market Context
890
Total Jobs
1.72
Per 1K Jobs
0.6
Location Quotient
Birmingham, AL has 0.60x the national average concentration of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.
With a Location Quotient of 0.6, Birmingham, AL, has a lower concentration of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors compared to the national average. This suggests that the job market may be less saturated, potentially offering opportunities for skilled professionals, but also indicating that the demand might not be as robust as in areas with higher concentration. It implies a market that is neither overly competitive nor exceptionally abundant.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Comparing salaries near Birmingham, AL
Hiring Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in Birmingham, AL?
The median annual salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Birmingham, AL is $54,060. This typically ranges from $37,670 for entry-level positions to $76,140 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Birmingham, AL is 15.7% lower than the national median of $64,100.
Is Birmingham, AL a lucrative place for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss?
No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $54,060 is below the national average of $64,100, although the cost of living is on par with the national average.
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to live for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The Cost of Living Index in Birmingham, AL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Birmingham, AL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Tuscaloosa, AL ($53,650) and Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area.
How does Birmingham's counselor salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for these counselors in Birmingham, AL, is $54,060, which is approximately $10,000 less than the national average of $64,100.
What is the concentration of these counselors in Birmingham, AL?
Birmingham has a lower concentration of these professionals, indicated by a Location Quotient of 0.6, meaning there are fewer counselors per worker relative to the national average.
Does the cost of living in Birmingham affect the salary's value?
No, the cost of living in Birmingham is exactly at the national average (index of 100), so the $54,060 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
What does the job market size suggest for counselors in Birmingham?
With 890 professionals and 1.72 jobs per 1,000 workers, the market is moderately sized, suggesting stable but not explosive job growth opportunities.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 890 employees in the Birmingham, AL area with a job density of 1.72 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Birmingham, AL
- All Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Production Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Management Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Browse All Jobs in Birmingham, AL →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Birmingham, AL