Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in the United States
In the U.S., the median pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $28.98 an hour ($60,280 a year). About 132,810 people work in this job there.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the U.S.
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $19.11 | $39,740 |
| 25% of workers | $22.63 | $47,070 |
| Half of workers (median) | $28.98 | $60,280 |
| 75% of workers | $38.33 | $79,730 |
| 90% of workers | $50.08 | $104,170 |
Best-paying states for mental health and substance abuse social workers
| State | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $79,380 | 14,820 |
| California | $79,000 | 19,860 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 | 3,590 |
| Maryland | $73,580 | 2,250 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 | 510 |
| Vermont | $73,210 | 320 |
| Washington | $70,460 | 3,490 |
| Oregon | $68,210 | 2,230 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 | 2,420 |
Pay by state
- Alabama · $41,500
- Arizona · $46,380
- Arkansas · $58,590
- California · $79,000
- Colorado · $65,620
- Connecticut · $78,640
- Delaware · $60,060
- District of Columbia · $73,310
- Florida · $51,590
- Georgia · $52,030
- Idaho · $52,520
- Illinois · $49,960
- Indiana · $48,300
- Iowa · $48,530
- Kansas · $56,330
- Kentucky · $42,570
- Louisiana · $47,100
- Maine · $57,050
- Maryland · $73,580
- Massachusetts · $62,500
- Michigan · $60,830
- Minnesota · $75,020
- Mississippi · $48,970
- Missouri · $49,560
- Montana · $45,160
- Nebraska · $43,240
- Nevada · $62,900
- New Jersey · $66,590
- New Mexico · $65,640
- New York · $79,380
- North Carolina · $58,210
- Ohio · $46,080
- Oklahoma · $43,120
- Oregon · $68,210
- Pennsylvania · $48,290
- Rhode Island · $60,990
- South Carolina · $39,930
- Tennessee · $46,500
- Texas · $46,630
- Utah · $50,770
- Virginia · $64,240
- Washington · $70,460
- Wisconsin · $61,860
Education, experience and outlook for mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Typical education to start: Master's degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Internship/residency (BLS)
- Job outlook: +10.3% over ten years, much faster than average · about 12,500 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in the U.S.
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.