How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make?
The median mental health and substance abuse social worker in the United States earns $60,060 per year, about $28.88 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all mental health and substance abuse social workers earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 21-1023.
Mental health and substance abuse social worker salary range
Pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $39,620 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $104,130. The average (mean) wage of $68,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,620 | $19.05 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $46,550 | $22.38 | |
| Median (50th) | $60,060 | $28.88 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $78,980 | $37.97 | |
| 90th percentile | $104,130 | $50.06 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for mental health and substance abuse social workers (SOC 21-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Mental health and substance abuse social worker salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Mental health and substance abuse social workers earn the most in New York at $80,230 a year, and the least in South Carolina at $41,750. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $80,230 | 14,180 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | 1,350 |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | 3,430 |
| California | $75,320 | 18,020 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | 640 |
| Oregon | $71,830 | 2,160 |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | 3,140 |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | 410 |
| Vermont | $69,540 | 370 |
| Washington | $69,060 | 3,490 |
| Maine | $67,820 | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | $65,600 | 620 |
| Colorado | $65,080 | 1,980 |
| Massachusetts | $64,960 | 6,790 |
| New Hampshire | $63,810 | 460 |
| Virginia | $63,530 | 3,130 |
| North Dakota | $61,660 | 230 |
| Maryland | $61,100 | 1,950 |
| Rhode Island | $60,490 | 620 |
| Michigan | $60,000 | 5,130 |
| Illinois | $58,090 | 1,730 |
| Alaska | $57,650 | 340 |
| Delaware | $57,620 | 410 |
| Wisconsin | $57,590 | 1,950 |
| North Carolina | $56,730 | 2,700 |
| Kansas | $56,110 | 1,360 |
| Indiana | $54,410 | 2,060 |
| Idaho | $50,900 | 390 |
| Florida | $50,860 | 6,260 |
| Georgia | $50,810 | 1,450 |
| Iowa | $50,340 | 1,260 |
| Nevada | $49,850 | 1,140 |
| Arkansas | $49,820 | 930 |
| Pennsylvania | $49,590 | 4,150 |
| South Dakota | $49,560 | 240 |
| Mississippi | $48,830 | 890 |
| Tennessee | $48,760 | 2,130 |
| West Virginia | $47,840 | 390 |
| Arizona | $46,650 | 3,610 |
| Ohio | $46,330 | 6,870 |
| Missouri | $46,250 | 2,530 |
| Kentucky | $45,450 | 1,040 |
| Nebraska | $45,120 | 800 |
| Texas | $44,790 | 5,810 |
| Louisiana | $44,050 | 980 |
| Montana | $43,880 | 630 |
| Oklahoma | $43,190 | 1,470 |
| Wyoming | $42,220 | 140 |
| Alabama | $42,100 | 670 |
| South Carolina | $41,750 | 650 |
State median wages for mental health and substance abuse social workers (SOC 21-1023), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers
The BLS projects employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 138,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 153,200 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 12,500 openings a year for mental health and substance abuse social workers. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a mental health and substance abuse social worker
The typical entry-level education for mental health and substance abuse social workers is a master's degree, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete an internship or residency to reach full competency.
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a mental health and substance abuse social worker earns
Employer, license or certification, caseload, and region shape pay. Government agencies and clinical settings tend to pay above nonprofit and entry-level roles.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (New York, $80,230) and the lowest (South Carolina, $41,750) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 125,910 people work as mental health and substance abuse social workers in the United States. At $60,060 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Mental health and substance abuse social worker salary FAQ
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a mental health and substance abuse social worker is $28.88. The middle half of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn between $22.38 and $37.97 per hour.
What is the highest mental health and substance abuse social worker salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn more than $104,130 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make a year?
The median annual salary for a mental health and substance abuse social worker is $60,060. The average (mean) wage of $68,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a mental health and substance abuse social worker a well paid job?
At $60,060 a year, a mental health and substance abuse social worker earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 125,910 people work as mental health and substance abuse social workers in the United States.
Which state pays mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
New York has the highest median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers at $80,230 a year. Connecticut ($78,820) and Minnesota ($77,100) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a mental health and substance abuse social worker a good career?
Employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers is projected to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 12,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a mental health and substance abuse social worker?
The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for mental health and substance abuse social workers as a master's degree, so a college degree is usually expected.
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