Mental Health Counselors - Counsel with emphasis on prevention. Work with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental health. May help individuals deal with addictions and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; suicide; stress management; problems with self-esteem; and issues associated with aging and mental and emotional health.
The national average annual salary for this occupation is $41,360 per year. Nationally, the average hourly wage for this occupation is $19.88. The average wage in New Mexico is above the national average. In New Mexico, the average hourly wage is $22.05 and most workers in this occupation earn between $13.41 and $26.37 per hour.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| Area | Entry Wage | Average Wage | Experienced Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Annual | $41,360 | ||
| National Hourly | $19.88 | ||
| Statewide Annual | $27,885 | $45,858 | $54,845 |
| Statewide Hourly | $13.41 | $22.05 | $26.37 |
| Metro Areas | |||
| Albuquerque Annual | $33,982 | $49,981 | $57,980 |
| Hourly | $16.34 | $24.03 | $27.87 |
| Farmington Annual | - | - | - |
| Hourly | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces Annual | $39,417 | $45,480 | $48,512 |
| Hourly | $18.95 | $21.87 | $23.32 |
| Santa Fe Annual | $18,109 | $33,488 | $41,178 |
| Hourly | $8.71 | $16.10 | $19.80 |
| Regions | |||
| Central Annual | $33,982 | $49,981 | $57,980 |
| Hourly | $16.34 | $24.03 | $27.87 |
| Eastern Annual | $21,766 | $31,548 | $36,439 |
| Hourly | $10.46 | $15.17 | $17.52 |
| Northern Annual | $25,307 | $47,709 | $58,910 |
| Hourly | $12.17 | $22.94 | $28.32 |
| Southwestern Annual | $25,342 | $39,525 | $46,616 |
| Hourly | $12.18 | $19.00 | $22.41 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
For more detailed information about New Mexico wages visit the Occupational Employment Statistics program website.
Information displayed represents annual 2010 wages.
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New Mexico
2008 to 2018
In 2008 there were about 1,090 workers in this occupation in New Mexico. The Department of Workforce Solutions estimates that by 2018 this number will have no growth by about 18 percent and an estmated 1,280 will be employed in this occupation. Compared to other occupations, employment growth in this occupation is growing more slowly than the average. Job opportunities indicate few and keen competition, as there should be about 20 openings each year for workers in this occupation.
In the Table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas
| Area | Estimated Employment 2008 | Projected Employment 2018 | Annual Percent Change | Total Annual Average Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 1,090 | 1,280 | 1.69% | 20 |
| + Metro Areas | ||||
| Albuquerque | 750 | 860 | 1.43% | 11 |
| Farmington | - | - | - | - |
| Las Cruces | 20 | 20 | 3.07% | 1 |
| Santa Fe | 50 | 70 | 2.67% | 2 |
| + Regions | ||||
| Central | 750 | 860 | 1.43% | 11 |
| Eastern | 170 | 220 | 2.44% | 5 |
| Northern | 110 | 140 | 2.33% | 3 |
| Southwestern | 40 | 50 | 2.72% | 1 |
A dash '-' indicates that information is not available for this occupation or area.
Metro Areas refer to Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Regions refer to Workforce Investment Areas.
Mental Health Counselors usually need Master's Degree.
| Education Level | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | 67% |
| Some College Courses | 13% |
| Post-Master's Certificate - awarded for completion of an organized program of study; designed for people who have completed a Master's degree, but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level. | 9% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 6% |
| Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 3% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 1% |
Information based on O*NET data and is the result of a national survey.
Use this list to find educational opportunities for this occupation. Contact the specific schools directly to find out application requirements and program availability.
In the table click on the "+" sign to expand/collapse areas.
| + Eastern New Mexico University - Roswell | ||
|---|---|---|
| Website:http://www.roswell.enmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; < 1 yr. | Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Espanola | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/espanola/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Farmington | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/farmington/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Raton | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/raton/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Rio Rancho | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/riorancho/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Roswell | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/roswell/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + New Mexico Highlands University -Santa Fe | ||
| Website:http://www.nmhu.edu/statewidecenters/santafe/index.aspx | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| Master's Degree | Clinical/Medical Social Work | |
| + Santa Fe Community College | ||
| Website:http://www.sfcc.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; 1-2 yrs. | Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | |
| + UNM School of Continuing Education | ||
| Website:http://dce.unm.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Postsec. Awards/Cert./Diplomas; < 1 yr. | Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | |
| + Webster University - Albuquerque Metro | ||
| Website:http://admissions.webster.edu/admissions/graduate/locations/albu.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Master's Degree | Mental Health Counseling/Counselor (NEW) | |
| + Webster University - Kirtland Air Force | ||
| Website:http://admissions.webster.edu/admissions/graduate/locations/albu.asp | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Master's Degree | Mental Health Counseling/Counselor (NEW) | |
| + Western New Mexico University | ||
| Website:http://www.wnmu.edu/ | ||
| Type | Standardized Program Title | |
| Bachelor's Degree | Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling | |
This list is updated once a year and is compiled from the NM Department of Higher Education and other sources.
| License Title | Contact | Year | Number issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical Mental Health Counselor | NM Counseling & Therapy Practice Board 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 547-4610 www.rld.state.nm.us/Counseling/index.html | 2010 | |
| Licensed Mental Health Counselor | NM Counseling & Therapy Practice Board 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 547-4610 www.rld.state.nm.us/Counseling/index.html | 2010 | |
| Professional Mental Health Counselor | NM Counseling & Therapy Practice Board 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM 87505 (505) 547-4610 www.rld.state.nm.us/Counseling/index.html | 2010 |
Other available certificates or credentials may also be desirable. Additional local licenses or permits may be required, and individual businesses may have specific employment requirements. Licensing information is collected through a variety of New Mexico-based resources and does NOT include federal licensing requirements.
No WorkKeys scores are available for this particular occupation.
For further information on WorkKeys please visit the ACT-WorkKeys website. Skill levels are provided for individuals who know thier scores.
| Industry | Percent of Employed |
|---|---|
| Ambulatory Health Care Services | 32.2% |
| Educational Services | 2.2% |
| Hospitals | 31.0% |
| Nursing and Residential Care Facilities | 4.7% |
| Self-Employed Workers, Primary Job | 4.7% |
| Social Assistance | 23.2% |
* Data is confidential.
Source: NMDWS, Economic Research and Analysis Bureau
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- Clinical Mental Health Counselor
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