Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford is 560.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford earn an average of $47,650 per year or $22.91 per hour.
  • The percentage of Virginia Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford is less than 1%.

Rankings for Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford

  • Ranks #9 in Virginia for salary and #6 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #3 in Virginia for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #316 in the nation for salary and #299 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #101 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to Virginia

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,650 or $22.91 per hour which is 10% less than the Virginia average salary of $53,210.

AverageBlacksburg-Christiansburg-RadfordVirginia% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.91$25.58-10.44%
Annual Salary$47,650$53,210-10.45%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,650 or $22.91 per hour which is 10% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageBlacksburg-Christiansburg-RadfordU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.91$25.72-10.93%
Annual Salary$47,650$53,490-10.92%
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 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford earns an average annual salary of $52,088 which compares to the Virginia average annual salary of $53,210. per year.

Cost-of-living in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford is 9% less than the Virginia average, which means Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to Virginia average.

  • Virginia average salary is $53,210.
  • Virginia cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,694.
  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford average salary is $47,650.
  • Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford cost-of-living adjusted salary is $52,088.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford$47,65091.48%$52,088
Virginia$53,210100.98%$52,694
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 Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $39,380 and $49,990 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 $63,480, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $39,380, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year56Under $39,380
15%2 – 4 years84$39,380 – $39,380
25%5 – 9 years140$39,380 – $48,480
25%10 – 14 years140$48,480 – $49,990
15%15 – 20 years84$48,480 – $63,480
10%20+ years56Above $63,480
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 $47,650, Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Psychology Teachers ($79,020), Health Care Social Workers ($53,980), and Social Workers ($50,730).

TitleAnnual Salary
Psychology Teachers$79,020
Health Care Social Workers$53,980
Social Workers$50,730
Substance Abuse Counselors$47,650
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford is 560.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $47,650 per year or $22.91 per hour in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $52,088 per year or $25 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford are Psychology Teachers($79,020), Health Care Social Workers($53,980), Social Workers($50,730).


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

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