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Mental health aide salary
Average mental health aide salary
$15.42
Mental Health Aide Salary Overview
The average salary of a Mental Health Aide in the United States is around $32,074 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on several factors, including geographic location, level of experience, and the type of healthcare facility. For instance, Mental Health Aides employed in urban areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings.
Factors Influencing Salary
Experience plays a vital role in salary determination. Entry-level positions may start around $28,000, while those with several years of experience can earn upwards of $40,000. Additionally, specialized training or certifications can enhance earning potential.
Highest Paying States
States like California and New York typically offer the most lucrative salaries for Mental Health Aides, with averages exceeding $35,000. In contrast, states like Alabama and Mississippi may present lower salary ranges, around $28,000. Understanding these variations can assist job seekers in targeting opportunities that align with their financial goals.
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Where can a Mental Health Aide earn more?
Mental health aide salaries by experience level
Mental health aide salary estimates from across the web
Average mental health aide salary by state
The average mental health aide salary in New Hampshire, California, and New Jersey are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average mental health aide salary states are Georgia, Nebraska, and Missouri.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for mental health aides
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $37,248 | $17.91 |
| 2 | New Jersey | $37,556 | $18.06 |
| 3 | New York | $37,402 | $17.98 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $36,244 | $17.43 |
| 5 | Michigan | $34,042 | $16.37 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $34,472 | $16.57 |
| 7 | New Hampshire | $45,869 | $22.05 |
| 8 | Connecticut | $36,933 | $17.76 |
| 9 | Oregon | $35,655 | $17.14 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $35,403 | $17.02 |
| 11 | Ohio | $32,428 | $15.59 |
| 12 | Idaho | $33,241 | $15.98 |
| 13 | California | $38,448 | $18.48 |
| 14 | Iowa | $31,831 | $15.30 |
| 15 | Nevada | $35,555 | $17.09 |
| 16 | Washington | $35,043 | $16.85 |
| 17 | Rhode Island | $33,716 | $16.21 |
| 18 | Wyoming | $33,087 | $15.91 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $31,355 | $15.07 |
| 20 | Vermont | $31,360 | $15.08 |
| 21 | Kansas | $31,342 | $15.07 |
| 22 | Massachusetts | $30,432 | $14.63 |
| 23 | Indiana | $28,871 | $13.88 |
| 24 | New Mexico | $31,296 | $15.05 |
| 25 | South Dakota | $31,093 | $14.95 |
| 26 | District of Columbia | $35,946 | $17.28 |
| 27 | Virginia | $33,386 | $16.05 |
| 28 | Alaska | $30,117 | $14.48 |
| 29 | Tennessee | $27,940 | $13.43 |
| 30 | Colorado | $32,221 | $15.49 |
| 31 | Kentucky | $29,222 | $14.05 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $27,945 | $13.44 |
| 33 | Texas | $30,154 | $14.50 |
| 34 | Delaware | $30,760 | $14.79 |
| 35 | Maryland | $29,705 | $14.28 |
| 36 | Utah | $30,641 | $14.73 |
| 37 | Illinois | $28,794 | $13.84 |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | $25,504 | $12.26 |
| 39 | Montana | $26,229 | $12.61 |
| 40 | Mississippi | $27,366 | $13.16 |
| 41 | Hawaii | $26,082 | $12.54 |
| 42 | Louisiana | $26,045 | $12.52 |
| 43 | West Virginia | $27,359 | $13.15 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $23,933 | $11.51 |
| 45 | Alabama | $25,123 | $12.08 |
| 46 | Arizona | $22,228 | $10.69 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $25,137 | $12.09 |
| 48 | Missouri | $23,219 | $11.16 |
| 49 | Georgia | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| 50 | Arkansas | $20,061 | $9.64 |
| 51 | Florida | $22,269 | $10.71 |
Highest paying cities for mental health aides
The highest-paying cities for mental health aides are San Francisco, CA, New York, NY, and Duluth, MN.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $39,042 | $18.77 |
| 2 | New York, NY | $37,406 | $17.98 |
| 3 | Duluth, MN | $36,124 | $17.37 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $35,438 | $17.04 |
| 5 | Everett, WA | $34,980 | $16.82 |
| 6 | Harrisonburg, VA | $33,776 | $16.24 |
| 7 | Toledo, OH | $32,734 | $15.74 |
| 8 | Denver, CO | $32,222 | $15.49 |
| 9 | New Orleans, LA | $25,798 | $12.40 |
| 10 | Bethlehem, PA | $25,613 | $12.31 |
| 11 | Atlanta, GA | $24,705 | $11.88 |
| 12 | Florence, AZ | $22,066 | $10.61 |
Mental health aide salary details
A mental health aide's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $39,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a mental health aide's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| Average | $32,074 | $2,673 | $15 |
| 25th Percentile | $28,000 | $2,333 | $13 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying mental health aide jobs
The highest paying types of mental health aides are mental health clinician, mental health consultant, and family therapist.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Program Counselor | $43,820 | $3,652 | $21.07 | 133,491 |
| Family Therapist | $50,774 | $4,231 | $24.41 | 106,982 |
| Aide | $27,793 | $2,316 | $13.36 | 78,919 |
| Residential Counselor | $34,117 | $2,843 | $16.40 | 81,287 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Residential Aide | $26,176 | $2,181 | $12.58 | 74,826 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for mental health aides, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Logan Lamprecht Ph.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor, Counseling Clinic Director, Idaho State University
Top companies hiring mental health aides now:
Which companies pay mental health aides the most?
Mental health aide salaries at New York State Restaurant Association and Polaris are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average mental health aide salary at companies like Physician Affiliate Group of New York and International Rescue Committee are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York State Restaurant Association | $39,832 | $19.15 |
| 2 | Polaris | $35,530 | $17.08 |
| 3 | Physician Affiliate Group of New York | $34,927 | $16.79 |
| 4 | International Rescue Committee | $34,422 | $16.55 |
| 5 | Touro College | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 6 | State Of South Dakota | $33,508 | $16.11 |
| 7 | MLK Community Healthcare | $33,186 | $15.95 |
| 8 | City of El Dorado | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 9 | Lehigh Valley Health Network | $31,966 | $15.37 |
| 10 | Trinity Health | $31,808 | $15.29 |
| 11 | St. Luke's Hospital | $31,711 | $15.25 |
| 12 | Crestwood Behavioral Health | $31,649 | $15.22 |
| 13 | The GEO Group | $31,277 | $15.04 |
| 14 | Mental Health Center Of Denver | $31,150 | $14.98 |
| 15 | Sanford Health | $31,109 | $14.96 |
| 16 | LCMC Health | $31,096 | $14.95 |
| 17 | Mille Lacs Health System | $30,888 | $14.85 |
| 18 | Compass Health | $30,768 | $14.79 |
| 19 | NaphCare | $30,684 | $14.75 |
| 20 | Universal Health Services | $30,439 | $14.63 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Mental Health Aide salary by industry
The average mental health aide salary varies across industries:
- The average mental health aide salary in the manufacturing industry is $33,627, the highest of any industry.
- The average mental health aide salary in the finance industry is $33,236.
- Mental health aides in the health care industry earn an average salary of $31,027, the lowest of any industry.
Highest paying industries for mental health aides
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $33,627 | $16.17 |
| 2 | Government | $33,236 | $15.98 |
| 3 | Non Profits | $32,355 | $15.56 |
| 4 | Education | $32,052 | $15.41 |
| 5 | Retail | $31,260 | $15.03 |
| 6 | Health Care | $31,027 | $14.92 |
High paying mental health aide jobs
Mental health aide salary trends
The average mental health aide salary has risen by $6,248 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average mental health aide earned $25,826 annually, but today, they earn $32,074 a year. That works out to a 14% change in pay for mental health aides over the last decade.
Compare mental health aide salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average mental health aide salary over time
Compare mental health aide salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Mental health aide salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,100 | $15.42 | +4.2% |
| 2024 | $30,700 | $14.77 | +3.9% |
| 2023 | $29,500 | $14.19 | +3.5% |
| 2022 | $28,500 | $13.69 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | $28,100 | $13.51 | +1.2% |
Recently added mental health aide salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxim Healthcare | Mental Health Aide | San Jose, CA | 06/28/2025 | $50,088 |
| Fraser | Children's Mental Health Aide | Coon Rapids, MN | 06/27/2025 | $39,653 |
| Universal Health Services | Sweetwater County School Based Mental Health Aide | Casper, WY | 06/25/2025 | $31,305 |
| Crestwood Behavioral Health | Recovery Coach Mental Health Aide-PM & NOC | San Francisco, CA | 06/17/2025 | $45,121 |
| State of South Dakota | Mental Health Aide & | Yankton, SD | 06/14/2025 | $37,983 |
| Eagan | Children's Mental Health Aide | Eagan, MN | 06/12/2025 | $39,653 |
| Lifepoint Hospitals | Mental Health Aide Professional | Pasco, WA | 06/11/2025 | $32,849 |
| Crestwood Behavioral Health | Recovery Coach Mental Health Aide) | San Jose, CA | 05/28/2025 | $43,827 |
| State of South Dakota | Mental Health Aide & | Yankton, SD | 05/28/2025 | $37,524 |
| Maxim Healthcare | Mental Health Aide | San Jose, CA | 05/25/2025 | $50,088 |
Mental health aide salary FAQs
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