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Social ServicesMid

Mental Health Counselor

BLS: Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsSOC 21-1018Salary source: BLS OEWS May 2025
Career advancement roadmap

Your path to the next level

Bachelor's degree → entry role → credentials → graduate path → mid-level → senior-level.

  1. Recommended bachelor's path
    Psychology
    Social Science
    Your academic foundation
  2. Entry-level role
    No entry-level role mapped yet.
  3. Credentials that advance you
    LPC/LMFT/LCSW pathway
  4. Graduate paths worth considering
    MA Counseling
    Social Services
  5. Mid-level roleYou are here
    Mental Health Counselor
    Mid
    2–5 years typical
  6. Senior-level role
    No senior-level role mapped yet.
Overview

Degrees that lead to this role

Career ladder

How the climb looks

  1. 1
    Mental Health Counselor
    Current • you are here
    years
  2. 2
    Senior Mental Health Counselor
    Next
    years
Salary

What you can realistically earn

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025SOC 21-1018View source
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Salary by State

Top 5 highest paying states

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025View source
#StateMedian (annual)Mean (annual)vs National
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Certifications

Credentials that advance you

Social Services
High
LPC/LMFT/LCSW pathway
Social Services
Medium
CADC/LAADC where applicable
Professional
Recommended
Mental Health First Aid
Professional
Master's degrees

Graduate paths worth considering

Social Services
High
MA Counseling
Social Services
Medium
MSW
Social Services
Medium
MA Clinical Psychology
Graduate Degree
Recommended
Master of Social Work

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