National Salary Overview
Health Education Specialists
Median Salary
$65,866
Average (Mean)
$70,866
Employed Nationwide
60,570
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Health Education Specialists earns $6,481 more (10.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$65,866
$59,385
Average (Mean) Salary
$70,866
$63,880
Total Employment
60,570
487,020
States with Higher Pay
36
15
Salary by State: Health Education Specialists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Health Education Specialists pays more in 36 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 15.
| State | Health Education Specialists | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,210 | $47,310 | +$17,900 | ||
| Alaska | $71,940 | $80,770 | $-8,830 | ||
| Arizona | $63,390 | $65,300 | $-1,910 | ||
| Arkansas | $62,270 | $51,580 | +$10,690 | ||
| California | $63,610 | $59,250 | +$4,360 | ||
| Colorado | $74,150 | $62,390 | +$11,760 | ||
| Connecticut | $66,870 | $63,590 | +$3,280 | ||
| Delaware | $63,300 | $56,020 | +$7,280 | ||
| District of Columbia | $103,330 | $60,450 | +$42,880 | ||
| Florida | $46,360 | $56,790 | $-10,430 | ||
| Georgia | $99,400 | $58,960 | +$40,440 | ||
| Hawaii | $63,740 | $60,090 | +$3,650 | ||
| Idaho | $61,330 | $63,360 | $-2,030 | ||
| Illinois | $60,120 | $60,730 | $-610 | ||
| Indiana | $58,170 | $53,760 | +$4,410 | ||
| Iowa | $75,750 | $60,880 | +$14,870 | ||
| Kansas | $62,990 | $59,470 | +$3,520 | ||
| Kentucky | $65,370 | $54,190 | +$11,180 | ||
| Louisiana | $57,840 | $37,910 | +$19,930 | ||
| Maine | $58,300 | $59,970 | $-1,670 | ||
| Maryland | $104,470 | $59,530 | +$44,940 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,510 | $59,890 | $-2,380 | ||
| Michigan | $56,360 | $61,690 | $-5,330 | ||
| Minnesota | $78,400 | $58,780 | +$19,620 | ||
| Mississippi | $51,020 | $46,990 | +$4,030 | ||
| Missouri | $57,050 | $56,910 | +$140 | ||
| Montana | $51,200 | $59,000 | $-7,800 | ||
| Nebraska | $56,800 | $63,770 | $-6,970 | ||
| Nevada | $62,120 | $57,210 | +$4,910 | ||
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | $54,840 | +$15,150 | ||
| New Jersey | $73,740 | $62,820 | +$10,920 | ||
| New Mexico | $57,990 | $74,100 | $-16,110 | ||
| New York | $62,560 | $59,450 | +$3,110 | ||
| North Carolina | $58,080 | $55,490 | +$2,590 | ||
| North Dakota | $59,650 | $68,630 | $-8,980 | ||
| Ohio | $64,860 | $58,360 | +$6,500 | ||
| Oklahoma | $62,440 | $59,350 | +$3,090 | ||
| Oregon | $75,500 | $74,590 | +$910 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 | $52,010 | +$28,660 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,360 | $65,120 | +$10,240 | ||
| South Carolina | $64,720 | $52,370 | +$12,350 | ||
| South Dakota | $57,370 | $53,650 | +$3,720 | ||
| Tennessee | $49,630 | $49,580 | +$50 | ||
| Texas | $59,340 | $62,630 | $-3,290 | ||
| Utah | $59,790 | $63,890 | $-4,100 | ||
| Vermont | $68,140 | $61,810 | +$6,330 | ||
| Virginia | $64,040 | $59,880 | +$4,160 | ||
| Washington | $77,420 | $68,910 | +$8,510 | ||
| West Virginia | $62,760 | $49,430 | +$13,330 | ||
| Wisconsin | $74,040 | $62,220 | +$11,820 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,750 | $62,980 | $-230 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Health Education Specialists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Health Education Specialists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Health Education Specialists earns more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. The national median salary difference is $6,481 (10.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Health Education Specialists earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Health Education Specialists earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 36 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 15 states.
What is the median salary for a Health Education Specialists vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Health Education Specialists is $65,866 per year, compared to $59,385 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Health Education Specialists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
There are more people employed as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. BLS reports approximately 60,570 Health Education Specialists positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Health Education Specialists or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Health Education Specialists and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.
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