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Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in Oregon: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary really buy you in Oregon?

Oregon is 6.6% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$74,590
Median annual (2025)
-6.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$69,971
COL-adjusted (RPP=106.6)

Oregon Cost of Living Index

Oregon's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 106.6, meaning prices are 6.6% higher the national average. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earning $74,590 in Oregon has the equivalent purchasing power of $69,971 in an average-cost US state.

OR: 106.6
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Oregon's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $49,860 $46,772 $-3,087
25th Percentile (P25) $60,130 $56,407 $-3,722
Median (P50) $74,590 $69,971 $-4,618
75th Percentile (P75) $86,800 $81,425 $-5,374
90th Percentile (P90) $102,830 $96,463 $-6,366
Key Insight

While $74,590 sounds high, Oregon's elevated cost of living erases 6% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $69,971. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Oregon Is a High-Cost State

RPP 106.6

Oregon's RPP of 106.6 puts it 6.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.

Meaningful Purchasing-Power Shift

-6.2%

After applying Oregon's RPP, the $74,590 median salary translates to $69,972 in real terms — a 6.2% loss. That difference can cover several months of expenses over a year for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in Oregon

#5 / 51

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, Oregon places #5 of 51 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (After Cost of Living)

Where does Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$81,428
RPP 91.0
2. Alaska
$79,186
RPP 102.0
$77,373
RPP 88.7
$71,013
RPP 89.8
5. Oregon
$69,971
RPP 106.6
6. Idaho
$69,019
RPP 91.8
7. Iowa
$68,868
RPP 88.4
8. Wyoming
$68,531
RPP 91.9
9. Utah
$67,608
RPP 94.5
10. Wisconsin
$67,410
RPP 92.3

Oregon ranks #5 out of 51 states for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors take-home pay in Oregon after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Oregon after cost of living?

A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Oregon earns a median salary of $74,590 per year. After adjusting for Oregon's cost of living (RPP=106.6), the real purchasing power is $69,971 — a -6.2% difference.

Is Oregon expensive to live in?

Oregon's cost of living is 6.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Oregon is 106.6 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in Oregon: $74,590 x (100 / 106.6) = $69,971. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Oregon offset the salary?

Partially — a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors's nominal salary of $74,590 in Oregon has 6.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $69,971. However, Oregon may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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