Help individuals overcome addiction through counseling, support, and treatment planning. Median salary in Thornton: $54K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Figures represent annual base salary in Thornton, Colorado. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →
Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.
Substance Abuse Counselors in Thornton earn approximately 8% higher than the US national median for this role — a $4,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Thornton's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.
This role's national salaries are growing at 6.5% year-over-year, well above the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. If that pace holds, the Thornton median reaches $73,985 in five years.
Average 1-bedroom rent in Thornton ($1,600/mo) consumes approximately 54% of an after-tax median Substance Abuse Counselor salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($70K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $54K by 2030.
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The median Substance Abuse Counselor salary in Thornton, CO is $54,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Thornton–CO metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Entry-level Substance Abuse Counselors in Thornton with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $41,000 and $54,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $54,000 to $70,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $70,000 to $92,000 or more.
Thornton has a cost of living index of 108 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Thornton are close to the national average. Colorado has a 4.55% state income tax rate.
Bachelor's or Master's in Counseling; CADC certification. 35% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.