Mental health & social services
Mental health and substance use counselor
Support people working through mental health, behavioral or substance use concerns.
BLS · May 2025
EDUCATION & ENTRY
Route varies; clinical counseling uses graduate study
The state data group combines several counseling occupations. The linked master’s program is a clinical mental health route after a bachelor’s degree. Addiction counseling can use different credential pathways. Confirm requirements for the exact role; graduate study alone does not complete every licensure step.
The state’s typical entry education classification is “Bachelor's degree.” This describes the occupation broadly; employers, programs and licensing bodies set specific requirements.
CONNECT THE CAREER TO A PLACE TO LEARN
Oregon training options
These are related routes to investigate. Confirm the full preparation, current admissions and eligibility for your intended role with the provider.
Oregon State University
Clinical Mental Health Counseling
A graduate counseling pathway with practicum and internship experience.
Ask: Which undergraduate preparation, cohort schedule and supervised practice requirements apply before licensure?
Program page reviewed September 15, 2026
Take this question to a counselor.
Which counseling role do I mean, and how much education and supervised practice does it require?
Before choosing a program, ask for prerequisites, the complete timeline, class and placement schedules, and a full cost estimate including supplies, exams, travel and living expenses.
Build a working cost estimate →Understand the numbers.
The median is the midpoint of estimated wages for Oregon workers in this occupation. The hourly median is $35.86. These figures describe workers across experience levels; they are not starting pay or the earnings of graduates from the programs below.
Oregon projects employment moving from 6,945 jobs in 2024 to 8,574 in 2034. The projected 7,583 openings over the decade include growth and replacement needs as workers leave an occupation. Dividing that total by ten gives the rounded annual average shown above. These are projections, not today’s vacancies.
The wage and projection figures cover the combined group “Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors.” They do not describe only licensed clinical mental health counselors.
How to read wage information →