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Are you thinking of becoming a mental health specialist and really want to work at Allendale Association? Turns out, your chances are better in some states than others. In fact, our research shows that California is the best state for mental health specialists in America. The best city in America for mental health specialists with the highest pay is San Francisco, CA.
California is the best state for jobs for mental health specialists, and Georgia is the worst. The most common pay in California is $71,693, while the median pay in Georgia is $36,553. A mental health specialist will most commonly be promoted to case manager.

Here Are the Best States for Mental Health Specialists In 2023:

1. California

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
5,911
Average Annual Salary:$71,693
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$45,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$114,000
Location Quotient:
1.13

2. Alaska

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
175
Average Annual Salary:$64,875
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$55,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$75,000
Location Quotient:
1.17

3. Iowa

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
777
Average Annual Salary:$53,330
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$78,000
Location Quotient:
1.19

4. Hawaii

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
210
Average Annual Salary:$62,867
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$52,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$74,000
Location Quotient:
1.4

5. Nevada

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
346
Average Annual Salary:$59,048
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$37,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$93,000
Location Quotient:
0.92

Are There Any Particularly Good Places In The United States For Mental Health Specialists To Find Work Opportunities?

Michael Kiener Ph.D.

Professor of Rehabilitation Counseling, Maryville University

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics there is a need for over 12,000 more rehabilitation counselors nationwide and the growth in the profession is faster than the average of all occupations. The pandemic will only add to this demand. Rehabilitation counselors have the unique scope of practice to provide both mental health and vocational counseling. Areas of the country that experienced high unemployment rates could benefit from rehabilitation counselors helping displaced workers find new employment or transition to new careers. Moreover, rehabilitation counselors could provide mental health counseling to front line workers who have been managing the pandemic since March. Show more

6. Utah

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
510
Average Annual Salary:$58,584
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$38,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
Location Quotient:
0.89

7. Washington

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,228
Average Annual Salary:$57,591
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$38,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$86,000
Location Quotient:
0.94

8. North Carolina

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,823
Average Annual Salary:$52,722
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$34,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$80,000
Location Quotient:
1.06

9. Arizona

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,295
Average Annual Salary:$50,121
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$31,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$78,000
Location Quotient:
1.23

10. New York

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
2,085
Average Annual Salary:$57,146
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
Location Quotient:
0.91

Mental Health Specialist JobsNear Ashburn, VA

11. North Dakota

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
161
Average Annual Salary:$51,876
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
0.97

12. New Hampshire

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
257
Average Annual Salary:$56,304
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$87,000
Location Quotient:
0.82

13. Minnesota

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,513
Average Annual Salary:$50,120
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$34,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$71,000
Location Quotient:
1.27

14. Idaho

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
357
Average Annual Salary:$48,865
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$32,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$73,000
Location Quotient:
1.21

15. Maine

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
359
Average Annual Salary:$47,539
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$31,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
1.51

16. Connecticut

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
457
Average Annual Salary:$57,600
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$36,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$90,000
Location Quotient:
0.77

17. District of Columbia

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
275
Average Annual Salary:$58,093
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$37,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$89,000
Location Quotient:
0.91

18. Vermont

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
165
Average Annual Salary:$49,011
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$32,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$74,000
Location Quotient:
1.2

19. Oregon

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
588
Average Annual Salary:$54,287
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$35,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$83,000
Location Quotient:
0.79

20. Delaware

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
197
Average Annual Salary:$51,851
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$33,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$80,000
Location Quotient:
0.88

Mental Health Specialist Jobs In The Top 10 States

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21. South Dakota

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
167
Average Annual Salary:$49,073
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$33,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$71,000
Location Quotient:
0.87

22. New Jersey

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
961
Average Annual Salary:$54,011
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$34,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$84,000
Location Quotient:
0.68

23. Wyoming

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
111
Average Annual Salary:$45,636
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$30,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$67,000
Location Quotient:
1.03

24. Rhode Island

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
206
Average Annual Salary:$46,897
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$73,000
Location Quotient:
0.95

25. Mississippi

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
370
Average Annual Salary:$45,143
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$69,000
Location Quotient:
0.97

26. Michigan

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,904
Average Annual Salary:$42,804
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$28,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$63,000
Location Quotient:
1.37

27. New Mexico

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
250
Average Annual Salary:$47,645
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$30,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$74,000
Location Quotient:
0.71

28. Texas

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
3,283
Average Annual Salary:$46,116
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
0.9

29. Massachusetts

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
3,448
Average Annual Salary:$42,337
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$27,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$66,000
Location Quotient:
2.09

30. Indiana

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,584
Average Annual Salary:$40,547
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$27,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$60,000
Location Quotient:
1.34

31. Kansas

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
465
Average Annual Salary:$43,571
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$65,000
Location Quotient:
0.86

32. Montana

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
167
Average Annual Salary:$45,416
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$31,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$65,000
Location Quotient:
0.81

33. Colorado

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,000
Average Annual Salary:$43,749
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$65,000
Location Quotient:
0.94

34. Ohio

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
2,140
Average Annual Salary:$39,312
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$26,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
Location Quotient:
1.17

35. Florida

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,963
Average Annual Salary:$45,002
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$28,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$72,000
Location Quotient:
0.7

36. Alabama

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
706
Average Annual Salary:$41,782
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$27,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$64,000
Location Quotient:
0.89

37. Pennsylvania

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,950
Average Annual Salary:$40,843
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$26,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$63,000
Location Quotient:
0.93

38. Maryland

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,410
Average Annual Salary:$39,577
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$25,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$61,000
Location Quotient:
1.24

39. Wisconsin

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
992
Average Annual Salary:$40,290
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$27,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
Location Quotient:
1

40. Missouri

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,198
Average Annual Salary:$39,796
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$26,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$59,000
Location Quotient:
1.14

41. Oklahoma

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
642
Average Annual Salary:$38,624
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$25,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
Location Quotient:
1.16

42. Illinois

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,331
Average Annual Salary:$43,520
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$29,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$64,000
Location Quotient:
0.62

43. Louisiana

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
643
Average Annual Salary:$38,873
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$24,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$61,000
Location Quotient:
1.12

44. Kentucky

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
678
Average Annual Salary:$38,259
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$25,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$57,000
Location Quotient:
1.03

45. West Virginia

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
125
Average Annual Salary:$40,940
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$26,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$62,000
Location Quotient:
0.46

46. Arkansas

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
592
Average Annual Salary:$31,074
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$20,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$47,000
Location Quotient:
1.26

47. Virginia

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,538
Average Annual Salary:$39,737
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$25,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$61,000
Location Quotient:
0.91

48. Nebraska

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
425
Average Annual Salary:$32,967
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$22,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$48,000
Location Quotient:
1.07

49. Tennessee

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
541
Average Annual Salary:$38,520
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$25,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$58,000
Location Quotient:
0.51

50. South Carolina

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
587
Average Annual Salary:$37,170
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$24,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$57,000
Location Quotient:
0.73

51. Georgia

Total Mental Health Specialist Jobs:
1,142
Average Annual Salary:$36,553
Lowest 10 Percent Earn:$23,000
Highest 10 Percent Earn:$56,000
Location Quotient:
0.62

The 10 Best States In The US For Mental Health Specialists in 2022

  1. California
  2. Alaska
  3. Iowa
  4. Hawaii
  5. Nevada
  6. Utah
  7. Washington
  8. North Carolina
  9. Arizona
  10. New York
  • (5,911 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (175 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (777 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (210 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (346 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (510 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (1,228 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (1,823 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (1,295 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
  • (2,085 Mental Health Specialist Jobs)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics' most recent data helped us determine the ranking. We ranked each of the 50 states from best to worst for mental health specialists, to help you with your next career move. So without further delay, here is the list of best states for mental health specialists.

How We Determined The Best States To Be A Mental Health Specialist

You can read about how the best state rankings are calculated here.

Detailed List Of The Best States For A Mental Health Specialist

RankStateAverage SalaryLowest 10% EarnPopulationJob Count
1California$71,693$45,00039,536,6535,911
2Alaska$64,875$55,000739,795175
3Iowa$53,330$36,0003,145,711777
4Hawaii$62,867$52,0001,427,538210
5Nevada$59,048$37,0002,998,039346
6Utah$58,584$38,0003,101,833510
7Washington$57,591$38,0007,405,7431,228
8North Carolina$52,722$34,00010,273,4191,823
9Arizona$50,121$31,0007,016,2701,295
10New York$57,146$36,00019,849,3992,085
11North Dakota$51,876$36,000755,393161
12New Hampshire$56,304$36,0001,342,795257
13Minnesota$50,120$34,0005,576,6061,513
14Idaho$48,865$32,0001,716,943357
15Maine$47,539$31,0001,335,907359
16Connecticut$57,600$36,0003,588,184457
17District of Columbia$58,093$37,000693,972275
18Vermont$49,011$32,000623,657165
19Oregon$54,287$35,0004,142,776588
20Delaware$51,851$33,000961,939197
21South Dakota$49,073$33,000869,666167
22New Jersey$54,011$34,0009,005,644961
23Wyoming$45,636$30,000579,315111
24Rhode Island$46,897$29,0001,059,639206
25Mississippi$45,143$29,0002,984,100370
26Michigan$42,804$28,0009,962,3111,904
27New Mexico$47,645$30,0002,088,070250
28Texas$46,116$29,00028,304,5963,283
29Massachusetts$42,337$27,0006,859,8193,448
30Indiana$40,547$27,0006,666,8181,584
31Kansas$43,571$29,0002,913,123465
32Montana$45,416$31,0001,050,493167
33Colorado$43,749$29,0005,607,1541,000
34Ohio$39,312$26,00011,658,6092,140
35Florida$45,002$28,00020,984,4001,963
36Alabama$41,782$27,0004,874,747706
37Pennsylvania$40,843$26,00012,805,5371,950
38Maryland$39,577$25,0006,052,1771,410
39Wisconsin$40,290$27,0005,795,483992
40Missouri$39,796$26,0006,113,5321,198
41Oklahoma$38,624$25,0003,930,864642
42Illinois$43,520$29,00012,802,0231,331
43Louisiana$38,873$24,0004,684,333643
44Kentucky$38,259$25,0004,454,189678
45West Virginia$40,940$26,0001,815,857125
46Arkansas$31,074$20,0003,004,279592
47Virginia$39,737$25,0008,470,0201,538
48Nebraska$32,967$22,0001,920,076425
49Tennessee$38,520$25,0006,715,984541
50South Carolina$37,170$24,0005,024,369587
51Georgia$36,553$23,00010,429,3791,142

Highest paying states for Mental Health Specialists

RankStateAvg. Mental Health Specialist Salary
1California$71,693
2Alaska$64,875
3Iowa$53,330
4Hawaii$62,867
5Nevada$59,048
6Utah$58,584
7Washington$57,591
8North Carolina$52,722
9Arizona$50,121
10New York$57,146
11North Dakota$51,876
12New Hampshire$56,304
13Minnesota$50,120
14Idaho$48,865
15Maine$47,539
16Connecticut$57,600
17District of Columbia$58,093
18Vermont$49,011
19Oregon$54,287
20Delaware$51,851
21South Dakota$49,073
22New Jersey$54,011
23Wyoming$45,636
24Rhode Island$46,897
25Mississippi$45,143
26Michigan$42,804
27New Mexico$47,645
28Texas$46,116
29Massachusetts$42,337
30Indiana$40,547
31Kansas$43,571
32Montana$45,416
33Colorado$43,749
34Ohio$39,312
35Florida$45,002
36Alabama$41,782
37Pennsylvania$40,843
38Maryland$39,577
39Wisconsin$40,290
40Missouri$39,796
41Oklahoma$38,624
42Illinois$43,520
43Louisiana$38,873
44Kentucky$38,259
45West Virginia$40,940
46Arkansas$31,074
47Virginia$39,737
48Nebraska$32,967
49Tennessee$38,520
50South Carolina$37,170
51Georgia$36,553
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