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How much do 988 counselor jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for 988 counselor in the United States is $14.98, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.02 and $16.83 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a 988 Counselor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a 988 Counselor, you need a background in mental health, crisis intervention, and active listening, often supported by a degree in psychology, social work, or counseling. Familiarity with crisis management protocols, risk assessment tools, and secure communication systems like call center software is typically required. Compassion, emotional resilience, and strong communication skills enable counselors to support individuals in severe distress effectively. These competencies are vital to ensuring immediate, empathetic, and safe intervention for callers experiencing mental health crises.

What are some common challenges 988 Counselors face when supporting individuals in crisis, and how is support provided to manage these challenges?

988 Counselors often encounter emotionally intense situations, such as supporting callers experiencing severe distress, suicidal thoughts, or trauma. These challenges can be emotionally taxing and require strong emotional resilience and self-care practices. To help manage these demands, counselors typically receive regular supervision, participate in debriefing sessions, and have access to mental health support resources within their organizations. Ongoing training and a supportive team environment also play a key role in helping counselors navigate these difficult situations effectively.

What are 988 counselors?

988 counselors are trained professionals who provide immediate support to individuals experiencing mental health, substance use, or suicidal crises through the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. They listen without judgment, offer guidance, and connect callers to resources or emergency services if needed. These counselors play a vital role in helping people manage emotional distress and find help during difficult moments.
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What states have the most 988 Counselor jobs? States with the most job openings for 988 Counselor jobs include:
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988 Counselor jobs near you
Infographic showing various 988 Counselor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $31,158 per year, or $15 per hour.
988 Crisis Counselor - Full Time

988 Crisis Counselor - Full Time

NAMI Chicago

Chicago, IL • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Type: Full-Time
Reports to: 988 Crisis Supervisor
Office Location: Must live and work from Chicago, IL. Work from home position (not a remote "work from anywhere" role). Must maintain a private, confidential workspace in your home within the Chicago area and be able to attend in-person trainings and meetings at our Chicago office (224 W. Hill Street, Suite 410, Chicago, IL) as requested.
Shift: Evening shift, Saturday - Wednesday 3:45pm - 12:15am
Work schedules are subject to change as necessary to meet the Agency's and its client's needs. Reasonable notice is provided to facilitate personal planning.
Required to work three (3) of six (6) "primary" holidays (Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years Day) as determined by supervisory staff. Required to work any other recognized organizational holiday that your shift aligns with.
Training: Each employee is required to complete a set training course prior to being eligible to answer calls for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. Part-time crisis counselors are required to work a minimum of 16 hours per week during their training period. The first day of training is in person at our Chicago office from 9 AM - 5 PM. Beyond that, the training will be completed virtually using live and self-paced modalities. Facilitator-led training will be scheduled during a time of day that works for the majority of the training cohort (typically during the evening hours) but will always occur during the weekdays. Self-guided training may be completed at the learner's discretion but must be completed within the same week as they are scheduled. The training schedule will be provided on the first day of onboarding.
Background
Guided by the experiences of those living with mental health conditions and rooted in equity, NAMI Chicago educates to fight stigma and discrimination, fiercely advocates for our community, and shares hope, connection and expertise with people on their mental health journey.
Who We Are:
  • An employer who prioritizes your wellness
  • An employer who supports your growth
  • An employer who sees and acknowledges all of you
  • An employer who educates and advocates for mental health while sharing hope with those on their mental health journey or supporting individuals on their mental health journey.

Who We Are Looking For:
  • Highly empathetic
  • Detail-oriented and organized
  • Excellent relationship management and interpersonal skills

General Job Description:
As a 988 Suicide and Crisis Line Phone Crisis Counselor, you will play a crucial role in providing immediate support and intervention for individuals experiencing emotional distress and mental health crises. Operating within the framework of a national suicide and crisis hotline, you will offer empathetic listening, crisis intervention, and resources to access more support. This position demands strong communication skills, empathy, and the ability to remain calm under pressure. This role may be demanding and requires continuous multitasking and the ability to think and work quickly on the computer using various apps and platforms.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
  • Provide crisis intervention: Respond to incoming calls to the 988 Lifeline, offering immediate support and intervention for individuals in emotional distress while following the 988 Lifeline Suicide Safety Policy standards.
  • Active Listening: Practice empathetic listening skills to understand callers' emotions, concerns, and needs.
  • Assessment: Conduct assessments of callers' safety and level of risk, utilizing established protocols and guidelines such as the 988 Lifeline's Safety Assessment Model with the assessment of the Four Core Principles of Safety Assessment. This may involve supporting a person who is at imminent risk of harm to self or others.
  • Crisis De-escalation: Utilize de-escalation techniques to help callers regain a sense of control and stability during times of crisis.
  • Safety Planning: Collaborate with callers to develop safety plans, identifying coping strategies and supportive resources to manage crises effectively.
  • Empowerment: Empower individuals to explore their own strengths and coping mechanisms, fostering a sense of agency and resilience.
  • Resource Referrals: Offer access to appropriate mental health services, including mobile crisis teams, emergency departments and community resources using a vetted referral list provided by NAMI Chicago.
  • Documentation: Using NAMI Chicago's client record management system, maintain accurate and confidential records of all interactions with callers, adhering to privacy regulations and organizational policies. Systems require significant computer use and skills.
  • Confidentiality: Respects each caller's privacy rights under HIPAA and other applicable laws and regulations.
  • Follow-up: Schedule and/or make follow-up contact with help seekers for continued support at a date and time collaborated on by a crisis counselor and help seeker.
  • Collaboration: Coordinate with other crisis response professionals, including mental health clinicians, law enforcement, and emergency medical personnel, to ensure comprehensive support for callers.
  • Adherence to Protocols: Follow established protocols and procedures for crisis intervention, documentation, and escalation of emergencies.
  • Continuous Training: Participate in ongoing training and professional development opportunities to enhance crisis intervention skills and stay updated on best practices for crisis support.
  • Communication and Teamwork: Communicate effectively and frequently throughout shift with supervisors and crisis team staff; can promptly alert supervisor of concerns and seek guidance/support when needed. Embodies NAMI Chicago's team approach by participating in on-shift huddles, weekly coaching sessions, team and organizational meetings, supporting co-workers, and attending scheduled trainings
  • Wellness: Be an active participant in your wellness plan and effectively communicate your need for support. Adhere to the organization's Wellness policy.
  • Other duties as assigned

Requirements
Education and Experience:
  • Bachelor's degree in social work, Psychology, Counseling or other related fields required; Master's preferred
  • In lieu of the education requirement, a minimum of four years of professional experience providing counseling and case management services to individuals/families experiencing homelessness or other related populations may be considered.
  • Minimum of 1-5 years of relevant experience providing counseling, crisis, or case management with individuals or families experiencing behavioral health crisis (i.e., suicidal ideations, psychotic presentations, SUD/OUD, etc.).
  • Experience in telephonic outreach, crisis, and case management.
  • Familiar with community resources and how to work with law enforcement and other community organizations (i.e., Hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc.).
  • Experience with vulnerable populations.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build rapport with individuals in distress.
  • Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Including a clear and expressive speaking voice.
  • Ability to work in a fast-paced and high-stress environment.
  • Ability to work effectively and stay focused in an environment with regular interruptions.
  • Ability to be flexible, adaptable, and able to function successfully in an environment requiring immediate response to urgent situations.
  • Exhibits empathy, compassion, and a non-judgmental attitude towards individuals experiencing mental health crises, with a commitment to serving underrepresented and vulnerable populations, including social and racial/ethnic minorities, as well as those living with mental illnesses and/or substance use disorders.
  • Willing to work in a diverse environment regarding race, ethnicity, culture, sexual orientation, and gender.
  • Familiarity with Chicagoland resources and mental health services.
  • Excellent self-awareness and commitment to prioritizing your wellness.
  • Exceptional ability to multi-task and excellent organizational skills. This includes attention to detail, problem-solving, and time management.

Welcomed Qualifications:
  • Previous experience at a suicide and crisis hotline
  • Certification in crisis intervention or suicide prevention
  • Strong computer and technology skills. You will be working across several different platforms simultaneously and a strong foundation will make adjusting and troubleshooting platforms easier.
  • Typing speed of at least 35-40 WPM
  • Current ASIST or SafeTALK certification (In-house SafeTALK training provided quarterly)

Other Information
Working Conditions: NAMI Chicago 988 Lifeline Phone Crisis Counselors work in a remote environment. The role may involve sitting for extended periods and using telephone and computer equipment. The role involves extended periods of looking at digital device screens. The demanding nature of this work requires prioritizing self-care and being an advocate for your own wellbeing. Breaks are mandatory to comply with labor laws and to ensure Crisis Counselors get the reprieve they need to be successful. This role requires a degree of flexibility with your availability and time during your scheduled shift (i.e. break times may vary if you are interacting with a person in crisis at the time of your scheduled break).
Other:
  • Attend quarterly all team meeting on the first Monday of the first month of the quarter (July, October, January, and April) from 3-4 PM.
  • During the second and third month of every quarter, attend one virtual team meeting on the first Monday from 3-4 PM or second Thursday from 8-9 AM.
  • Must have a private, confidential space to work from in your home that is free of distractions for the duration of your shift. Must be able to work over a private, secure, password protected internet connection with a minimum speed of 300 Mbps (10 Mbps upload).

Available Benefits:
  • Company sponsored wellness activities.
  • Medical, Dental and Vision benefits.
  • Company sponsored Life and AD&D Insurance and Long-Term Disability.
  • 401k Retirement plan.
  • Critical Illness Insurance, Hospital Indemnity, Accident Insurance, Short Term Disability Coverage.
  • Generous PTO.

Salary range: $24
NAMI Chicago is an inclusive employer, we welcome and encourage BIPOC, LGBTQ+, Veterans, Differently Abled, Returning Citizens and All Who Are Dedicated to Mental Health to Apply.

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