How much does a wellness counselor make?
a year · about $29 an hour
A typical wellness counselor in the United States makes $59,350 a year, about $29 an hour, about the same as a typical US worker (median, May 2025, US Bureau of Labor Statistics).
What do they do?
They meet clients one-on-one or in groups, listen to their concerns, and help set goals and practice ways to cope. Between sessions, they update records, check progress, make referrals, and coordinate with doctors or social workers.
Did you know? Some U.S. counselors in this field work in prisons, probation or parole agencies, and juvenile detention facilities—not only in clinics.
Is that a lot?
Compared with jobs you knowIf 100 people had this job
Most earn between $38,940 and $97,590How do you become one?
In the United States, addiction counselors usually need a bachelor’s degree; mental health counselors usually need a master’s and an internship. Private practice requires a state license and supervised clinical hours; state rules decide which exam is needed.
Why does pay differ?
In the United States, experience, advanced or specialized training, and licenses or certifications can raise pay; complex work or more responsibility may pay more. Pay also differs by employer and location; full-time versus part-time hours matter, and some residential or inpatient jobs include night or weekend shifts.
Where does it pay most?
Highest in Alaska ($80,770), lowest in Louisiana ($37,910).
See every state
Top 5 and bottom 3 states, typical (median) yearly pay.
Jobs like this
Data table and sources
| Lower earner (10th from bottom) | Typical person (median) | Higher earner (10th from top) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|---|
| $38,940 | $59,350 | $97,590 | about 492,000 |
| State | Typical person (median) | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,770 | about 1,000 |
| Oregon | $74,590 | about 8,000 |
| New Mexico | $74,100 | about 2,000 |
| Washington | $68,910 | about 14,000 |
| North Dakota | $68,630 | about 1,000 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 (bls.gov); descriptions and related jobs from O*NET 31.0. Figures as of May 2025, full-time yearly pay (hourly × 2,080 hours). bls.gov/oes · O*NET OnLine
Pages used for the text
- www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder
- www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/wage-differences.htm
- www.onetonline.org/link/details/21-1011.00
- www.nbcc.org/licensure
Data: US BLS OEWS, May 2025 · 1 USD = 150 JPY