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Intake counselor salary
Average intake counselor salary
$44,574
Understanding the Intake Counselor Salary
The Intake Counselor position is pivotal in guiding individuals through initial assessments and referrals in mental health and social service environments. Currently, the average salary stands at $44,574 per year or approximately $21 per hour. Compensation can vary significantly based on factors such as geographical location, years of experience, and specialized fields.
For instance, Intake Counselors in states like California and New York often report higher salaries due to the increased cost of living and demand for services. Understanding your earning potential can help you make informed career choices. Additionally, as you gain experience and credentials, there are opportunities for salary advancement. The job market for Intake Counselors continues to grow, with many employers offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract qualified candidates.
Job Opportunities and Growth
As the demand for mental health services increases, the need for Intake Counselors will likely rise. Job opportunities can be found in hospitals, community health centers, and private practices. Explore various roles within the field to align your career path with your professional aspirations.
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Where can an Intake Counselor earn more?
Intake counselor salary estimates from across the web
Average intake counselor salary by state
The average intake counselor salary in Washington, Maine, and Arizona are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average intake counselor salary states are Oklahoma, Louisiana, and Arkansas.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for intake counselors
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maine | $52,991 | $25.48 |
| 2 | Washington | $54,119 | $26.02 |
| 3 | Arizona | $51,629 | $24.82 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $49,120 | $23.62 |
| 5 | Rhode Island | $49,341 | $23.72 |
| 6 | Oregon | $49,328 | $23.72 |
| 7 | Michigan | $47,988 | $23.07 |
| 8 | New York | $49,229 | $23.67 |
| 9 | Maryland | $49,985 | $24.03 |
| 10 | North Dakota | $47,267 | $22.72 |
| 11 | Colorado | $47,300 | $22.74 |
| 12 | Alaska | $44,742 | $21.51 |
| 13 | Missouri | $47,656 | $22.91 |
| 14 | Pennsylvania | $42,678 | $20.52 |
| 15 | California | $47,327 | $22.75 |
| 16 | Illinois | $45,316 | $21.79 |
| 17 | South Dakota | $46,199 | $22.21 |
| 18 | Vermont | $46,374 | $22.30 |
| 19 | Minnesota | $43,821 | $21.07 |
| 20 | District of Columbia | $48,075 | $23.11 |
| 21 | Connecticut | $42,648 | $20.50 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $44,603 | $21.44 |
| 23 | Kansas | $45,029 | $21.65 |
| 24 | Ohio | $43,029 | $20.69 |
| 25 | Indiana | $42,462 | $20.41 |
| 26 | Nebraska | $41,107 | $19.76 |
| 27 | Kentucky | $42,525 | $20.44 |
| 28 | West Virginia | $42,147 | $20.26 |
| 29 | Montana | $38,868 | $18.69 |
| 30 | Nevada | $41,071 | $19.75 |
| 31 | New Jersey | $40,309 | $19.38 |
| 32 | Hawaii | $40,238 | $19.35 |
| 33 | Iowa | $39,622 | $19.05 |
| 34 | Idaho | $38,986 | $18.74 |
| 35 | Alabama | $40,951 | $19.69 |
| 36 | Wyoming | $37,372 | $17.97 |
| 37 | New Mexico | $37,016 | $17.80 |
| 38 | Delaware | $39,226 | $18.86 |
| 39 | Georgia | $37,338 | $17.95 |
| 40 | Utah | $37,721 | $18.14 |
| 41 | Tennessee | $35,991 | $17.30 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | $37,118 | $17.85 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $35,774 | $17.20 |
| 44 | Arkansas | $34,685 | $16.68 |
| 45 | Louisiana | $34,764 | $16.71 |
| 46 | Texas | $35,523 | $17.08 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $33,634 | $16.17 |
| 48 | Florida | $32,915 | $15.82 |
| 49 | Oklahoma | $35,069 | $16.86 |
| 50 | Virginia | $35,603 | $17.12 |
| 51 | North Carolina | $33,872 | $16.28 |
Highest paying cities for intake counselors
The highest-paying cities for intake counselors are Scottsdale, AZ, Brentwood, NY, and Portland, OR.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottsdale, AZ | $51,677 | $24.84 |
| 2 | Brentwood, NY | $49,622 | $23.86 |
| 3 | Portland, OR | $49,431 | $23.76 |
| 4 | San Mateo, CA | $48,835 | $23.48 |
| 5 | Littleton, CO | $47,296 | $22.74 |
| 6 | Chicago, IL | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| 7 | Cleveland, OH | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| 8 | Bloomington, MN | $43,721 | $21.02 |
| 9 | Bloomington, IN | $41,738 | $20.07 |
| 10 | Las Vegas, NV | $40,988 | $19.71 |
| 11 | Newark, NJ | $40,519 | $19.48 |
| 12 | Newark, DE | $39,296 | $18.89 |
| 13 | Atlanta, GA | $37,456 | $18.01 |
| 14 | El Paso, TX | $36,884 | $17.73 |
| 15 | Norfolk, VA | $35,176 | $16.91 |
| 16 | Tulsa, OK | $35,017 | $16.84 |
| 17 | Shreveport, LA | $34,887 | $16.77 |
| 18 | Benton, AR | $34,621 | $16.64 |
| 19 | Ocala, FL | $33,527 | $16.12 |
| 20 | North Charleston, SC | $33,503 | $16.11 |
Intake counselor salary details
An intake counselor's salary ranges from $32,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $60,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is an intake counselor's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $60,000 | $5,000 | $29 |
| 75th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| Average | $44,574 | $3,715 | $21 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,000 | $3,083 | $18 |
| 10th Percentile | $32,000 | $2,667 | $15 |
Highest paying intake counselor jobs
The highest paying types of intake counselors are lead counselor, licensed professional counselor, and clinical counselor.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Counselor Internship | $45,500 | $3,792 | $21.88 | 132,694 |
| Licensed Professional Counselor | $94,675 | $7,890 | $45.52 | 153,612 |
| Alcohol And Drug Counselor | $45,758 | $3,813 | $22.00 | 77,461 |
| Addictions Counselor | $47,226 | $3,936 | $22.70 | 79,459 |
| Community Health Counselor | $43,304 | $3,609 | $20.82 | 131,804 |
| Crisis Counselor | $51,142 | $4,262 | $24.59 | 76,255 |
How would you rate the starting salaries for intake counselors, as well as the prospects for salary advancement?
Sarah Christa Butts MSW
Director of Public Policy, National Association of Social Workers
Top companies hiring intake counselors now:
Which companies pay intake counselors the most?
Intake counselor salaries at HonorHealth and Saint Francis Health System are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average intake counselor salary at companies like Universal Health Services and Dallas County Hospital are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | HonorHealth | $64,893 | $31.20 |
| 2 | Saint Francis Health System | $53,049 | $25.50 |
| 3 | Universal Health Services | $52,224 | $25.11 |
| 4 | Dallas County Hospital | $51,547 | $24.78 |
| 5 | Legacy Health | $50,320 | $24.19 |
| 6 | Horizon Services | $50,132 | $24.10 |
| 7 | Diamond Healthcare | $49,874 | $23.98 |
| 8 | Providence Health & Services | $48,954 | $23.54 |
| 9 | Cleveland Clinic | $48,865 | $23.49 |
| 10 | Univ Of Colorado-Colorado Spgs | $48,022 | $23.09 |
| 11 | Gaudenzia | $45,862 | $22.05 |
| 12 | Horizon Health | $45,557 | $21.90 |
| 13 | Acadia Healthcare | $45,336 | $21.80 |
| 14 | HOPE Community Services | $44,527 | $21.41 |
| 15 | St. Patrick Center | $44,348 | $21.32 |
| 16 | Outreach Development | $44,063 | $21.18 |
| 17 | Aurora Behavioral Health System | $43,868 | $21.09 |
| 18 | North Central Mental Health Services | $43,339 | $20.84 |
| 19 | Park Avenue Center | $42,785 | $20.57 |
| 20 | Mercy Medical Center, Canton, Ohio | $42,653 | $20.51 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Intake counselor salary trends
The average intake counselor salary has risen by $7,643 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average intake counselor earned $36,931 annually, but today, they earn $44,574 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for intake counselors over the last decade.
Compare intake counselor salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average intake counselor salary over time
Compare intake counselor salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Intake counselor salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $44,600 | $21.43 | +3.0% |
| 2025 | $43,200 | $20.78 | +2.4% |
| 2024 | $42,200 | $20.28 | +2.4% |
| 2023 | $41,200 | $19.79 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | $40,400 | $19.41 | +2.2% |
Recently added intake counselor salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Women Against Abuse | Intake & Hotline Counselor-DV Services | Philadelphia, PA | 06/29/2025 | $39,256 |
| Unitedhealth Group Inc. | Behavioral Intake Counselor/Screening and Linkage Liaison-National Remote | San Diego, CA | 06/27/2025 | $48,857 |
| Volunteers of America Western Washington | Mediation Intake Counselor | Everett, WA | 06/27/2025 | $54,992 |
| Acadia Healthcare Inc. | Admissions/Intake Counselor-Saturday and Sunday (AM Shift) | San Jose, CA | 06/26/2025 | $60,523 |
| Acadia External | Admissions/Intake Counselor-Saturday and Sunday (AM Shift) | San Jose, CA | 06/26/2025 | $60,523 |
| Main Line Health, Inc. | Outpatient Intake Counselor | Broomall, PA | 06/26/2025 | $58,926 |
| Vantage Behavioral Health | Social Work Intake Counselor | Queensbury, NY | 06/10/2025 | $100,176 |
| Pace Center for Girls | Intake Counselor | Tampa, FL | 06/08/2025 | $50,000 |
| Dignity Health | Intake Counselor Psych Crisis Team | Los Angeles, CA | 06/05/2025 | $66,012 |
| Transitions, Inc. | Intake Counselor | Fort Mitchell, KY | 05/31/2025 | $57,000 |
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