Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in New Orleans-Metairie is 1,120.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in New Orleans-Metairie earn an average of $42,250 per year or $20.31 per hour.
  • The percentage of Louisiana Substance Abuse Counselors who work in New Orleans-Metairie is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in New Orleans-Metairie is less than 1%.

Rankings for New Orleans-Metairie

  • Ranks #3 in Louisiana for salary and #1 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #1 in Louisiana for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #450 in the nation for salary and #129 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #50 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Louisiana

New Orleans-Metairie Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,250 or $20.31 per hour which is 5% more than the Louisiana average salary of $39,970.

AverageNew Orleans-MetairieLouisiana% Difference
Hourly Wage$20.31$19.215.73%
Annual Salary$42,250$39,9705.70%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

New Orleans-Metairie Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,250 or $20.31 per hour which is 21% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageNew Orleans-MetairieU.S.%
Hourly Wage$20.31$25.72-21.03%
Annual Salary$42,250$53,490-21.01%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Substance Abuse Counselors in New Orleans-Metairie earns an average annual salary of $43,620 which compares to the Louisiana average annual salary of $39,970. per year.

Cost-of-living in New Orleans-Metairie is 3% less than the Louisiana average, which means New Orleans-Metairie residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Louisiana average.

  • Louisiana average salary is $39,970.
  • Louisiana cost-of-living adjusted salary is $43,108.
  • New Orleans-Metairie average salary is $42,250.
  • New Orleans-Metairie cost-of-living adjusted salary is $43,620.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
New Orleans-Metairie$42,25096.86%$43,620
Louisiana$39,97092.72%$43,108
U.S.$53,490$53,490
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In New Orleans-Metairie, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $31,740 and $47,710 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn more than $62,870, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $29,010, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year112Under $29,010
15%2 – 4 years168$29,010 – $31,740
25%5 – 9 years280$31,740 – $38,560
25%10 – 14 years280$38,560 – $47,710
15%15 – 20 years168$38,560 – $62,870
10%20+ years112Above $62,870
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $42,250, New Orleans-Metairie Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Clinical and Counseling Psychologists ($109,070), Psychology Teachers ($88,660), Forensic Psychologists ($78,930), Health Care Social Workers ($53,200), and Social Workers ($48,620).

TitleAnnual Salary
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists$109,070
Psychology Teachers$88,660
Forensic Psychologists$78,930
Health Care Social Workers$53,200
Social Workers$48,620
Substance Abuse Counselors$42,250
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for New Orleans-Metairie Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in New Orleans-Metairie is 1,120.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $42,250 per year or $20.31 per hour in New Orleans-Metairie.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in New Orleans-Metairie Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $43,620 per year or $21 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in New Orleans-Metairie are Clinical and Counseling Psychologists($109,070), Psychology Teachers($88,660), Forensic Psychologists($78,930).


Additional Salary Reports for Substance Abuse Counselors in Louisiana cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Substance Abuse Counselors: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data