Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area earn an average annual salary of $66,000. This figure slightly surpasses the national average of $64,100, indicating a favorable compensation landscape in the region. Local demand, workforce concentration, and the specific needs of the community likely contribute to this competitive pay.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $66,000 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $98,810.
- Outlook: The job market for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, appears robust. With a substantial local workforce of 6,670 professionals and a Location Quotient of 1.44, the concentration of these roles is significantly higher than the national average. This suggests a strong and potentially growing demand for these essential services within the metropolitan area.
Salary Overview
The average Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO earns+3.0%above the national average.
$31.7
$1,269
$5,500
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data isn't provided, it's reasonable to assume that salaries for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, have experienced steady growth over the past four years. Factors such as increased awareness of mental health issues, evolving treatment methodologies, and general economic inflation typically drive upward salary trends in specialized healthcare professions.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary Distribution in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Career progression for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, is typically marked by increasing earning potential. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the salary spectrum, while experienced counselors with specialized skills, advanced degrees, or supervisory roles can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching well into the upper percentiles.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| ProbationaryInitial licensure. Mentored by senior faculty. | 10% (Entry) | $44,650 | $21.5 |
| Tenured / ProProfessional status. Curriculum development. | 25% (Junior) | $49,500 | $23.8 |
| Senior EducatorDepartment chair. Mentors student teachers. | 50% (Median) | $59,100 | $28.4 |
| Lead SpecialistInstructional coach, reading specialist, or VP. | 75% (Senior) | $82,500 | $39.7 |
| AdministratorPrincipal, District Admin, or Consultant. | 90% (Expert) | $98,810 | $47.5 |
Detailed Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$66,000
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$66,000
Adjusted for COL (100)
The nominal average annual salary of $66,000 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO, aligns perfectly with the national average cost of living (100). This means that the purchasing power of this salary is equivalent to the national average, offering a stable financial foundation for residents.
Job Market Context
6,670
Total Jobs
4.122
Per 1K Jobs
1.44
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.44, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.44 signifies that Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are more concentrated in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO area than the national average. This suggests a healthy demand for these professionals, potentially leading to more job opportunities and a competitive market where employers may need to offer attractive compensation to secure talent.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Comparing salaries near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median annual salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $66,000. This typically ranges from $44,650 for entry-level positions to $98,810 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is 3.0% higher than the national median of $64,100.
Is Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO a lucrative place for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss?
Yes, Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO offers a slightly above-average earning potential for these professionals.The average salary of $66,000 exceeds the national average, and the strong concentration of these roles (LQ 1.44) indicates robust local demand.
Is Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO a good place to live for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The Cost of Living Index in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Some top paying nearby cities include Boulder, CO ($85,330) and Greeley, CO.
How does the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $66,000, which is slightly higher than the national average of $64,100.
What is the cost of living in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The cost of living in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is at the national average, indexed at 100. This means that the $66,000 salary has the same purchasing power as the national average salary.
How concentrated are these jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The concentration of Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is 1.44 times the national average, indicating a higher prevalence of these roles in the area.
What is the total number of these counselors in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO area?
There are approximately 6,670 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors employed within the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 6,670 employees in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO area with a job density of 4.122 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- All Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Management Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Computer and Mathematical Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
- Browse All Jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO