Salary Summary

• Counselors earned hourly rates that averaged between $17 and $27 in 2010, depending on the specific area of counseling involved, says the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This converts to annual salaries averaging between roughly $36,000 and $56,000. However, actual salaries range anywhere from about $21,000 to $86,000. A master's degree is standard for the counseling profession as of 2011, but you may earn more as a counselor if you have a doctoral degree.
  
  

Educational, Vocational and School Counselors

• Educational, vocational and school counselors were the highest-paid counselors in 2010, according to the bureau. These counselors had annual salaries that averaged $55,970 per year. In terms of an hourly rate, this is $26.91. Counselors in this category earned between $31,630 and $86,250.
  
  

Marriage and Family Counselors

• In 2010, marriage and family counselors ranked second-highest compared to other counselors in regard to pay. They earned an average annual salary of $47,530, or about $22.85 hourly, according to the bureau. The lowest earners made $23,870 annually. Top earners made $72,280.
  
  

Counselors, All Other

• Counselors who do not fall into any of the other counseling categories with the Bureau of Labor Statistics made $44,380 in 2010; hourly, this translates to $21.33. The salary range for this sector was $23,540 to $69,040 per year.
  
  

Mental Health Counselors

• Mental health counselors averaged yearly pay of $41,260 in 2010, says the bureau; this translates to $19.88 per hour. Low pay for 2010 in this sector was $20,770. Top pay was $56,720.
  
  

Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors

• Counselors who specialized in working with behavior and drug-related issues outside of rehabilitation facilities commanded average salaries of $40,810. The average hourly rate was $19.62. Those in this category earned between $24,690 and $60,400.
  
  

Rehabilitation Counselors

• Rehabilitation counselors are those who work with individuals in drug or other behavior rehabilitation clinics. They are the lowest-paid of any counselors, despite the fact that working in rehabilitation facilities poses risks not found in other counseling settings. These counselors earned only $35,850 per year, or $17.24 per hour, in 2010, according to the bureau. Their salaries ranged from $20,770 to $56,720 annually.