How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor in Hawaii: Salary & Requirements (2026)
Quick answer: The median substance abuse counselor salary in Hawaii is $60,090 per year - 1% above the national median of $59,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The career requires a 4-year degree: Bachelor’s in addiction counseling, psychology, or human services.
Substance Abuse Counselor Salary in Hawaii
| Wage level | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii entry level (10th percentile) | $48,460 |
| Hawaii 25th-75th percentile | $50,290 - $77,200 |
| Hawaii median | $60,090 |
| Hawaii top earners (90th percentile) | $104,790 |
| U.S. median | $59,350 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. State employment: 2,110.
The Hawaii Job Market: Substance Abuse Counselor
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Employed in Hawaii | 2,110 |
| Jobs per 1,000 in the state | 3.36 |
| Concentration vs U.S. (location quotient) | 1.06 |
| Mean annual wage in Hawaii | $70,050 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. With a location quotient of 1.06, Hawaii’s demand for substance abuse counselors tracks close to the national average.
Requirements in Hawaii
The education path is national - Bachelor’s in addiction counseling, psychology, or human services - while licensing runs through Hawaii’s own boards: State licensure/certification required (LCDC/CADC tiers vary by state). Verify current requirements with the Hawaii licensing authority before enrolling, as details change. The step-by-step path (degree, exams, first role, advancement) is covered in the national guide: How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor.
Salary Nationwide
| Percentile | Annual wage |
|---|---|
| 10th | $38,940 |
| 25th | $47,100 |
| 50th (median) | $59,350 |
| 75th | $76,530 |
| 90th | $97,590 |
Job Outlook
| Year | Employment |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 483,500 |
| 2034 projected | 564,600 |
| Percent change | +16.8% |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a substance abuse counselor make in Hawaii?
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Hawaii is $60,090 (BLS OEWS, May 2025), 1% above the national median of $59,350.
How do I become a substance abuse counselor in Hawaii?
The core path is the same nationwide - Bachelor's in addiction counseling, psychology, or human services - with licensing administered at the state level: State licensure/certification required (LCDC/CADC tiers vary by state). See the steps below.
How many substance abuse counselors work in Hawaii?
BLS counts about 2,110 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors employed in Hawaii (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Substance Abuse Counselor in Nearby States
- Substance Abuse Counselor in Florida
- Substance Abuse Counselor in Georgia
- Substance Abuse Counselor in Idaho
- Substance Abuse Counselor in Illinois
Related
- How to Become a Substance Abuse Counselor (national guide)
- All Trade Careers That Require a 4-Year Degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), Hawaii and national
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |