21 Series · SOC 21-1023
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary
National pay, percentile range, growth outlook, and state-by-state detail from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey (May 2025).
- $60,280
- Median / year
- +0.4%
- 2024→2025
- $104,170
- Top 10% earn
- +9.7%
- Growth '24–'34
- 132,810
- Estimated US jobs
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn a median of $60,280 per year.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS survey, the median annual wage is $60,280, based on the most recent survey of employers. Reported pay ranges from $39,740 (10th percentile) to $104,170 (90th percentile) nationally, across roughly 132,810 estimated jobs in covered establishments. The highest published state median in this ranking is New York ($79,380).
The pay verdict
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn a median of $60,280, putting them below the typical US occupation and higher than 49% of the 825 occupations with a published BLS median. Within Community and Social Service, it ranks #8 of 17 by median pay. Employment is projected to grow 9.7% by 2034.
- $60,280
- Median annual wage
- Top 51%
- of 825 US occupations with published wages
- #8 of 17
- in Community and Social Service
- 2.6×
- 90th-to-10th pay spread
Highest-paying state: New York at $79,380. Typical entry-level education: Master's degree.
Observed pay change
What changed, BLS OEWS 2019–2025
- The published national median for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers moved from $46,650 in May 2019 to $60,280 in May 2025 (+29.2%).
- Across the 749 occupations priced in both releases under SOC-2018, the median occupation changed +24.5%.
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers sits +4.8 pp near that median, nominal dollars, no price deflator applied.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (SOC 21-1023) has a national median of $60,280 per year in the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics May 2025 release. The published 10th-to-90th-percentile boundaries run from $39,740 to $104,170, and the published mean is $68,030. Those summary statistics describe the estimated distribution; their difference alone does not identify its cause. OEWS estimates 132,810 jobs in covered establishments nationally. WageDex has published rows for 52 state or territory areas and 401 metropolitan or nonmetropolitan wage areas. The published national median moved from $60,060 in the May 2024 OEWS release to $60,280 in May 2025, a rise of $220 (+0.4%). This is a change between two BLS survey estimates, not an inflation-adjusted same-worker pay raise.
BLS Employment Projections forecast a +9.7% change in employment from 2024 to 2034, which we classify as much faster than average relative to the all-occupations baseline of 3.1%. About 13,500 openings are projected per year from growth, occupational transfers, and labor-force exits. BLS assigns Master's degree as typical education needed for entry, and BLS classifies its typical on-the-job preparation as internship/residency. BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for this role in the current release. The safety panel below shows its broad Community and Social Service Occupations SOC-group context and is not an occupation-level measurement or ranking.
Geographic variation matters as much as the headline median. New York pays the highest state median at $79,380, which is +32% above the national figure. The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Vallejo, CA at $122,930. The observed difference does not identify its cause. Pair the national median with the state and metropolitan-area rows below while keeping the geography and statistic consistent. OEWS includes tips, commissions, incentive pay, and production bonuses, but not employer benefits, overtime premiums, stock compensation, or nonproduction bonuses. See our methodology for the sourcing and calculation details.
BLS OEWS May 2025 132,810 jobs Median $60,280/yr
Median Salary
$60,280
per year
Median Hourly
$28.98/hr
per hour
Mean Salary
$68,030
average
Employment
132,810
jobs nationwide
How does this pay compare nationally?
Where Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay sits nationally
Median annual wage vs. 825 detailed BLS occupations with a published median
$60,280 Bottom 49% higher than 49% of 825 US occupations
Each bar is a $20K-wide band; taller bars hold more US occupations. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Read the chart as text · as of May 2025
| Band | Count | Share |
|---|---|---|
| $0–$20,000 | 0 US occupations | 0% |
| $20,000–$40,000 | 98 US occupations | 12% |
| $40,000–$60,000 | 298 US occupations | 36% |
| $60,000–$80,000 (this entry) | 209 US occupations | 25% |
| $80,000–$100,000 | 82 US occupations | 10% |
| $100,000–$120,000 | 58 US occupations | 7% |
| $120,000–$140,000 | 32 US occupations | 4% |
| $140,000–$160,000 | 14 US occupations | 2% |
| $160,000–$180,000 | 9 US occupations | 1% |
| $180,000 and above | 25 US occupations | 3% |
$60,280 · 49th percentile of 825 US occupations
Source U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · May 2025
Does this job pay well and grow?
Each dot is a 21-series occupation, placed by projected 2024–2034 growth and median pay. The highlighted dot is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers; the upper-right quadrant is the sweet spot (high pay + fast growth).
Read the chart as text
- Substance Abuse, Beh…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 16.8%, Median annual wage $59350
- Social and Human Ser…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 6.4%, Median annual wage $45930
- Child, Family, and S…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.4%, Median annual wage $59550
- Educational, Guidanc…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.5%, Median annual wage $64330
- Healthcare Social Wo…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 7.7%, Median annual wage $67880
- Mental Health and Su…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 9.7%, Median annual wage $60280
- Community and Social…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.6%, Median annual wage $56730
- Rehabilitation Couns…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1.4%, Median annual wage $46850
- Probation Officers a…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.6%, Median annual wage $66270
- Marriage and Family …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.6%, Median annual wage $66940
- Health Education Spe…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 4.5%, Median annual wage $64070
- Social Workers, All …: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 3.9%, Median annual wage $71900
- Community Health Wor…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 11.3%, Median annual wage $51850
- Clergy: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 1%, Median annual wage $60810
- Counselors, All Other: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 12.6%, Median annual wage $50860
- Directors, Religious…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 2.1%, Median annual wage $52100
- Religious Workers, A…: Projected growth 2024–2034 (%) 0.6%, Median annual wage $45280
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS (wages, May 2025) and Employment Projections (2024–2034).
Job Outlook (2024–2034)
Projected Growth
+9.7%
Much faster than average
Annual Openings
13,500
per year (projected)
Employment Change
+13,300
136,800 (2024) → 150,100 (2034)
Typical Education
Master's degree
On-the-Job Training
Internship/residency
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034
Workplace Safety
All safety ratings → Group
Community and Social Service Occupations context
Broad SOC context, not an occupation grade
Fatality Rate
0.3/100K
Injury Rate
0.5/100
Danger Index
2.2/100
Source: BLS Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) & Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII), 2023
Career Intelligence
Skills, knowledge, and tasks most important for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers roles, ranked by importance. Source: O*NET.
Top Skills
Social Perceptiveness 4.3
Active Listening 4.1
Speaking 4.1
Reading Comprehension 4.0
Critical Thinking 4.0
Monitoring 4.0
Coordination 3.9
Service Orientation 3.9
Complex Problem Solving 3.9
Writing 3.8
Knowledge Areas
Therapy and Counseling 4.8
Psychology 4.7
English Language 3.9
Customer and Personal Service 3.8
Education and Training 3.7
Sociology and Anthropology 3.6
Public Safety and Security 3.3
Medicine and Dentistry 3.0
Philosophy and Theology 3.0
Administration and Management 3.0
Key Tasks
- ▸ Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- ▸ Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- ▸ Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- ▸ Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- ▸ Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- ▸ Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- ▸ Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- ▸ Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
- ▸ Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
- ▸ Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
Source: O*NET Online, National Center for O*NET Development. Data represents typical importance ratings for this occupation.
Salary Range
Annual Salary Distribution
Hourly Rate Distribution
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay history, 2015–2025
Published national median across 11 BLS OEWS releases. Nominal dollars, not inflation-adjusted.
Read the chart as text
| Period | National median |
|---|---|
| 2015 | $42,170 |
| 2016 | $42,700 |
| 2017 | $43,250 |
| 2018 | $44,840 |
| 2019 | $46,650 |
| 2020 | $48,720 |
| 2021 | $49,130 |
| 2022 | $51,240 |
| 2023 | $55,960 |
| 2024 | $60,060 |
| 2025 | $60,280 |
2015 median
$42,170
2025 median
$60,280
2019–2025 change (same SOC)
+$13,630 (+29.2%)
Avg/year (same SOC)
+4.4%
| Release | Median | Change | Estimated jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2015 | $42,170 | First banked release | 110,070 |
| May 2016 | $42,700 | +1.3% | 114,040 |
| May 2017 | $43,250 | +1.3% | 112,040 |
| May 2018 | $44,840 | +3.7% | 116,750 |
| May 2019 | $46,650 | Classification break | 117,770 |
| May 2020 | $48,720 | +4.4% | 116,780 |
| May 2021 | $49,130 | +0.8% | 113,810 |
| May 2022 | $51,240 | +4.3% | 107,940 |
| May 2023 | $55,960 | +9.2% | 114,680 |
| May 2024 | $60,060 | +7.3% | 125,910 |
| May 2025 | $60,280 | +0.4% | 132,810 |
Across the 11 releases WageDex holds for this occupation, the published national median went from $42,170 in May 2015 to $60,280 in May 2025. Within the SOC-2018 classification (2019–2025), the like-for-like change averages +4.4% per year in nominal terms. Within the same SOC classification, estimated employment went from 117,770 in May 2019 to 132,810 in May 2025.
Each figure is a separate BLS survey estimate, so a change between releases reflects the estimated occupation-wide median in each year. It is not the raise any individual worker received, and it is not adjusted for inflation. Years where BLS did not publish an annual median for this occupation are omitted rather than filled in. This span also crosses a classification change: releases before May 2019 use the 2010 Standard Occupational Classification and later releases use the 2018 SOC, so figures either side of that boundary are not strictly like-for-like. Headline change rates on this page use only the same-classification subset.
Salary by State
Highest Paying States
View all 52 states →
| # | State | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $79,380 | +32% above national |
| 2 | California | $79,000 | +31% above national |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,640 | +30% above national |
| 4 | Minnesota | $75,020 | +24% above national |
| 5 | Maryland | $73,580 | +22% above national |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $73,310 | +22% above national |
| 7 | Vermont | $73,210 | +21% above national |
| 8 | Washington | $70,460 | +17% above national |
| 9 | Oregon | $68,210 | +13% above national |
| 10 | New Jersey | $66,590 | +10% above national |
| 11 | New Mexico | $65,640 | +9% above national |
| 12 | Colorado | $65,620 | +9% above national |
| 13 | Virginia | $64,240 | +7% above national |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $63,900 | +6% above national |
| 15 | Nevada | $62,900 | +4% above national |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $62,500 | +4% above national |
| 17 | Wisconsin | $61,860 | +3% above national |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $60,990 | +1% above national |
| 19 | North Dakota | $60,980 | +1% above national |
| 20 | Michigan | $60,830 | +1% above national |
| 21 | Delaware | $60,060 | same as national |
| 22 | Wyoming | $59,310 | 2% below national |
| 23 | Arkansas | $58,590 | 3% below national |
| 24 | North Carolina | $58,210 | 3% below national |
| 25 | Maine | $57,050 | 5% below national |
| 26 | Alaska | $56,710 | 6% below national |
| 27 | Kansas | $56,330 | 7% below national |
| 28 | Hawaii | $54,390 | 10% below national |
| 29 | Idaho | $52,520 | 13% below national |
| 30 | Georgia | $52,030 | 14% below national |
| 31 | Florida | $51,590 | 14% below national |
| 32 | Utah | $50,770 | 16% below national |
| 33 | West Virginia | $50,070 | 17% below national |
| 34 | Illinois | $49,960 | 17% below national |
| 35 | Missouri | $49,560 | 18% below national |
| 36 | Mississippi | $48,970 | 19% below national |
| 37 | South Dakota | $48,920 | 19% below national |
| 38 | Iowa | $48,530 | 19% below national |
| 39 | Indiana | $48,300 | 20% below national |
| 40 | Pennsylvania | $48,290 | 20% below national |
| 41 | Louisiana | $47,100 | 22% below national |
| 42 | Texas | $46,630 | 23% below national |
| 43 | Tennessee | $46,500 | 23% below national |
| 44 | Arizona | $46,380 | 23% below national |
| 45 | Ohio | $46,080 | 24% below national |
| 46 | Montana | $45,160 | 25% below national |
| 47 | Nebraska | $43,240 | 28% below national |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $43,120 | 28% below national |
| 49 | Kentucky | $42,570 | 29% below national |
| 50 | Alabama | $41,500 | 31% below national |
| 51 | South Carolina | $39,930 | 34% below national |
| 52 | Puerto Rico | $26,500 | 56% below national |
Salary by Metro Area
Highest Paying Metros
Lowest Paying Metros
295. San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR $26,500 294. Terre Haute, IN $35,060 293. Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). $35,590 292. Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC $36,210 291. Jackson, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). $37,170
View all 295 metro areas →
| # | Metro Area | Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vallejo, CA | $122,930 | +104% above national |
| 2 | Cheyenne, WY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $118,900 | +97% above national |
| 3 | San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,050 | +81% above national |
| 4 | San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $98,800 | +64% above national |
| 5 | Salinas, CA | $97,200 | +61% above national |
| 6 | Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $96,420 | +60% above national |
| 7 | Hanford-Corcoran, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $91,730 | +52% above national |
| 8 | San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,550 | +45% above national |
| 9 | Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,370 | +45% above national |
| 10 | Boulder, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $84,450 | +40% above national |
| 11 | Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | $84,260 | +40% above national |
| 12 | Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $84,190 | +40% above national |
| 13 | Mankato, MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $83,530 | +39% above national |
| 14 | Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,150 | +38% above national |
| 15 | New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $82,450 | +37% above national |
| 16 | Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $81,990 | +36% above national |
| 17 | Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $81,240 | +35% above national |
| 18 | Grand Junction, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $80,030 | +33% above national |
| 19 | Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $79,940 | +33% above national |
| 20 | Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $79,870 | +32% above national |
| 21 | Elmira, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $79,410 | +32% above national |
| 22 | Modesto, CA | $78,880 | +31% above national |
| 23 | Waterbury-Shelton, CT | $78,640 | +30% above national |
| 24 | Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,410 | +30% above national |
| 25 | Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $78,350 | +30% above national |
| 26 | Ithaca, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $78,220 | +30% above national |
| 27 | Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $78,210 | +30% above national |
| 28 | Las Cruces, NM | $77,990 | +29% above national |
| 29 | Stockton-Lodi, CA | $77,770 | +29% above national |
| 30 | Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $77,500 | +29% above national |
| 31 | Salisbury, MD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $77,360 | +28% above national |
| 32 | Rochester, MN | $77,030 | +28% above national |
| 33 | Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY | $76,970 | +28% above national |
| 34 | Santa Fe, NM Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $76,860 | +28% above national |
| 35 | San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $75,570 | +25% above national |
| 36 | Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $75,020 | +24% above national |
| 37 | Albany, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $74,980 | +24% above national |
| 38 | Hagerstown-Martinsburg, MD-WV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $74,380 | +23% above national |
| 39 | Logan, UT-ID Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $73,750 | +22% above national |
| 40 | Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $73,740 | +22% above national |
| 41 | Burlington-South Burlington, VT | $73,210 | +21% above national |
| 42 | Utica-Rome, NY | $73,200 | +21% above national |
| 43 | Kingston, NY | $71,790 | +19% above national |
| 44 | Glens Falls, NY | $71,710 | +19% above national |
| 45 | Syracuse, NY | $71,170 | +18% above national |
| 46 | Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $71,140 | +18% above national |
| 47 | Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $70,920 | +18% above national |
| 48 | Duluth, MN-WI | $70,390 | +17% above national |
| 49 | Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $70,360 | +17% above national |
| 50 | Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $70,230 | +17% above national |
| 51 | Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $69,960 | +16% above national |
| 52 | Binghamton, NY | $68,940 | +14% above national |
| 53 | Rochester, NY | $68,880 | +14% above national |
| 54 | Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,850 | +14% above national |
| 55 | Napa, CA | $68,830 | +14% above national |
| 56 | Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,800 | +14% above national |
| 57 | St. Cloud, MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,240 | +13% above national |
| 58 | Salem, OR | $68,210 | +13% above national |
| 59 | Elkhart-Goshen, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $68,060 | +13% above national |
| 60 | Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $68,020 | +13% above national |
| 61 | New Haven, CT | $67,330 | +12% above national |
| 62 | La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,770 | +11% above national |
| 63 | San Angelo, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $66,770 | +11% above national |
| 64 | Bend, OR | $66,710 | +11% above national |
| 65 | Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $66,590 | +10% above national |
| 66 | Bellingham, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $65,770 | +9% above national |
| 67 | Pueblo, CO | $65,620 | +9% above national |
| 68 | Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $65,500 | +9% above national |
| 69 | Wichita, KS | $65,300 | +8% above national |
| 70 | Eugene-Springfield, OR | $65,020 | +8% above national |
| 71 | Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,990 | +8% above national |
| 72 | Fresno, CA | $64,910 | +8% above national |
| 73 | Redding, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,760 | +7% above national |
| 74 | Watertown-Fort Drum, NY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,660 | +7% above national |
| 75 | Visalia, CA | $64,540 | +7% above national |
| 76 | Grants Pass, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $64,130 | +6% above national |
| 77 | Lansing-East Lansing, MI | $64,080 | +6% above national |
| 78 | Colorado Springs, CO | $63,860 | +6% above national |
| 79 | Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,830 | +6% above national |
| 80 | Ann Arbor, MI | $63,770 | +6% above national |
| 81 | Wichita Falls, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $63,770 | +6% above national |
| 82 | Madison, WI | $63,690 | +6% above national |
| 83 | Asheville, NC | $63,400 | +5% above national |
| 84 | Richmond, VA | $63,020 | +5% above national |
| 85 | Barnstable Town, MA | $62,990 | +4% above national |
| 86 | Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $62,900 | +4% above national |
| 87 | Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI | $62,770 | +4% above national |
| 88 | Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,680 | +4% above national |
| 89 | Gulfport-Biloxi, MS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,520 | +4% above national |
| 90 | Jonesboro, AR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,440 | +4% above national |
| 91 | Appleton, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $62,100 | +3% above national |
| 92 | South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $62,010 | +3% above national |
| 93 | Manchester-Nashua, NH | $61,990 | +3% above national |
| 94 | Saginaw, MI | $61,980 | +3% above national |
| 95 | Charlottesville, VA | $61,970 | +3% above national |
| 96 | Lewiston-Auburn, ME | $61,800 | +3% above national |
| 97 | Wausau, WI | $61,780 | +2% above national |
| 98 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $61,760 | +2% above national |
| 99 | Albuquerque, NM | $61,280 | +2% above national |
| 100 | Medford, OR Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,940 | +1% above national |
| 101 | Bismarck, ND Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,850 | +1% above national |
| 102 | Janesville-Beloit, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,800 | +1% above national |
| 103 | Bangor, ME | $60,700 | +1% above national |
| 104 | Worcester, MA | $60,480 | same as national |
| 105 | Midland, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,440 | same as national |
| 106 | Gainesville, GA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,430 | same as national |
| 107 | Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $60,390 | same as national |
| 108 | Kalamazoo-Portage, MI | $60,340 | same as national |
| 109 | Lewiston, ID-WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,270 | same as national |
| 110 | Flint, MI | $60,250 | same as national |
| 111 | Springfield, MA | $60,250 | same as national |
| 112 | Eau Claire, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,210 | same as national |
| 113 | Grand Forks, ND-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,160 | same as national |
| 114 | Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $60,160 | same as national |
| 115 | Winston-Salem, NC | $60,110 | same as national |
| 116 | Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,930 | 1% below national |
| 117 | Fargo, ND-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,870 | 1% below national |
| 118 | Helena, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,850 | 1% below national |
| 119 | Rocky Mount, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,780 | 1% below national |
| 120 | Shreveport-Bossier City, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,760 | 1% below national |
| 121 | Baton Rouge, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,700 | 1% below national |
| 122 | Greensboro-High Point, NC | $59,550 | 1% below national |
| 123 | Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $59,520 | 1% below national |
| 124 | Merced, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $59,500 | 1% below national |
| 125 | Raleigh-Cary, NC | $59,380 | 1% below national |
| 126 | Kennewick-Richland, WA | $59,230 | 2% below national |
| 127 | New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $59,150 | 2% below national |
| 128 | Portland-South Portland, ME | $59,010 | 2% below national |
| 129 | Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $58,980 | 2% below national |
| 130 | Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $58,970 | 2% below national |
| 131 | Muskegon-Norton Shores, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,960 | 2% below national |
| 132 | Bloomington, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,880 | 2% below national |
| 133 | Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $58,830 | 2% below national |
| 134 | Sioux Falls, SD-MN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,770 | 3% below national |
| 135 | Dover, DE | $58,670 | 3% below national |
| 136 | Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $58,500 | 3% below national |
| 137 | Kansas City, MO-KS | $58,320 | 3% below national |
| 138 | Lynchburg, VA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $58,320 | 3% below national |
| 139 | Roanoke, VA | $58,320 | 3% below national |
| 140 | Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $58,090 | 4% below national |
| 141 | Burlington, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,880 | 4% below national |
| 142 | Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $57,720 | 4% below national |
| 143 | Reno, NV | $57,700 | 4% below national |
| 144 | Sandusky, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $57,470 | 5% below national |
| 145 | Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $57,370 | 5% below national |
| 146 | Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $57,150 | 5% below national |
| 147 | Naples-Marco Island, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $56,860 | 6% below national |
| 148 | Fairbanks-College, AK Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $56,800 | 6% below national |
| 149 | Yuba City, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $56,790 | 6% below national |
| 150 | Pittsfield, MA | $56,660 | 6% below national |
| 151 | Chico, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $56,030 | 7% below national |
| 152 | Ogden, UT | $55,970 | 7% below national |
| 153 | Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $55,840 | 7% below national |
| 154 | Goldsboro, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,660 | 8% below national |
| 155 | Gainesville, FL | $55,500 | 8% below national |
| 156 | Iowa City, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,350 | 8% below national |
| 157 | Traverse City, MI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,260 | 8% below national |
| 158 | Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $55,190 | 8% below national |
| 159 | Wilmington, NC | $54,990 | 9% below national |
| 160 | Fort Wayne, IN | $54,610 | 9% below national |
| 161 | Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $54,510 | 10% below national |
| 162 | Jacksonville, FL | $54,420 | 10% below national |
| 163 | Green Bay, WI | $54,200 | 10% below national |
| 164 | Sheboygan, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $54,160 | 10% below national |
| 165 | Columbia, MO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $54,140 | 10% below national |
| 166 | Hattiesburg, MS Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $53,870 | 11% below national |
| 167 | Yakima, WA | $53,850 | 11% below national |
| 168 | Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $53,650 | 11% below national |
| 169 | Tallahassee, FL | $53,400 | 11% below national |
| 170 | Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $53,330 | 12% below national |
| 171 | North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $53,300 | 12% below national |
| 172 | Tuscaloosa, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $53,130 | 12% below national |
| 173 | Chambersburg, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $52,750 | 12% below national |
| 174 | Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $52,730 | 13% below national |
| 175 | Winchester, VA-WV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $51,900 | 14% below national |
| 176 | Topeka, KS | $51,670 | 14% below national |
| 177 | Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $51,510 | 15% below national |
| 178 | Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $51,320 | 15% below national |
| 179 | Monroe, LA | $51,250 | 15% below national |
| 180 | Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $50,720 | 16% below national |
| 181 | Dubuque, IA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,700 | 16% below national |
| 182 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,520 | 16% below national |
| 183 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $50,360 | 16% below national |
| 184 | Jefferson City, MO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $50,170 | 17% below national |
| 185 | Fayetteville, NC | $50,150 | 17% below national |
| 186 | Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $50,020 | 17% below national |
| 187 | Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $49,940 | 17% below national |
| 188 | Racine-Mount Pleasant, WI Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,920 | 17% below national |
| 189 | Reading, PA | $49,920 | 17% below national |
| 190 | Cleveland, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,850 | 17% below national |
| 191 | College Station-Bryan, TX | $49,850 | 17% below national |
| 192 | Casper, WY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,770 | 17% below national |
| 193 | Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $49,750 | 17% below national |
| 194 | Canton-Massillon, OH | $49,700 | 18% below national |
| 195 | Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $49,590 | 18% below national |
| 196 | St. Louis, MO-IL | $49,520 | 18% below national |
| 197 | Greeley, CO Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,510 | 18% below national |
| 198 | Anchorage, AK | $49,460 | 18% below national |
| 199 | St. George, UT | $49,190 | 18% below national |
| 200 | Peoria, IL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $49,000 | 19% below national |
| 201 | Morgantown, WV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,970 | 19% below national |
| 202 | Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $48,880 | 19% below national |
| 203 | Charleston, WV Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,790 | 19% below national |
| 204 | El Centro, CA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,770 | 19% below national |
| 205 | Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,650 | 19% below national |
| 206 | Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $48,630 | 19% below national |
| 207 | Sioux City, IA-NE-SD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,630 | 19% below national |
| 208 | Jackson, MS | $48,610 | 19% below national |
| 209 | Lexington Park, MD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,570 | 19% below national |
| 210 | Flagstaff, AZ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $48,410 | 20% below national |
| 211 | Tucson, AZ | $48,370 | 20% below national |
| 212 | Columbia, SC | $48,250 | 20% below national |
| 213 | Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $48,010 | 20% below national |
| 214 | Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | $47,990 | 20% below national |
| 215 | Lima, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $47,910 | 21% below national |
| 216 | Columbus, OH | $47,820 | 21% below national |
| 217 | Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX | $47,740 | 21% below national |
| 218 | Port St. Lucie, FL | $47,630 | 21% below national |
| 219 | Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $47,390 | 21% below national |
| 220 | Springfield, MO | $47,370 | 21% below national |
| 221 | Cedar Rapids, IA | $47,240 | 22% below national |
| 222 | Pittsburgh, PA | $47,100 | 22% below national |
| 223 | Provo-Orem-Lehi, UT | $47,030 | 22% below national |
| 224 | Lexington-Fayette, KY | $46,860 | 22% below national |
| 225 | Alexandria, LA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,830 | 22% below national |
| 226 | Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $46,810 | 22% below national |
| 227 | Longview-Kelso, WA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,790 | 22% below national |
| 228 | Akron, OH | $46,760 | 22% below national |
| 229 | Lancaster, PA | $46,680 | 23% below national |
| 230 | Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,630 | 23% below national |
| 231 | Toledo, OH | $46,600 | 23% below national |
| 232 | Boise City, ID | $46,570 | 23% below national |
| 233 | Lubbock, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,550 | 23% below national |
| 234 | Fort Smith, AR-OK Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $46,430 | 23% below national |
| 235 | Missoula, MT | $46,360 | 23% below national |
| 236 | Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $46,340 | 23% below national |
| 237 | Springfield, IL | $46,010 | 24% below national |
| 238 | Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $45,930 | 24% below national |
| 239 | San Antonio-New Braunfels, TX | $45,930 | 24% below national |
| 240 | Wheeling, WV-OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,920 | 24% below national |
| 241 | Pocatello, ID Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,760 | 24% below national |
| 242 | Scranton--Wilkes-Barre, PA | $45,670 | 24% below national |
| 243 | Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,660 | 24% below national |
| 244 | Knoxville, TN | $45,660 | 24% below national |
| 245 | Killeen-Temple, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,640 | 24% below national |
| 246 | Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $45,390 | 25% below national |
| 247 | Cleveland, OH | $45,390 | 25% below national |
| 248 | Columbus, IN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,390 | 25% below national |
| 249 | Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,360 | 25% below national |
| 250 | Rockford, IL | $45,280 | 25% below national |
| 251 | Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,260 | 25% below national |
| 252 | Great Falls, MT Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,160 | 25% below national |
| 253 | Springfield, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 60 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,120 | 25% below national |
| 254 | York-Hanover, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 80 workers (fewer than 100). | $45,050 | 25% below national |
| 255 | Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $44,950 | 25% below national |
| 256 | Idaho Falls, ID Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,920 | 25% below national |
| 257 | Omaha, NE-IA | $44,730 | 26% below national |
| 258 | Lincoln, NE | $44,720 | 26% below national |
| 259 | Oklahoma City, OK | $44,690 | 26% below national |
| 260 | Tulsa, OK | $44,500 | 26% below national |
| 261 | Joplin, MO-KS | $44,420 | 26% below national |
| 262 | Rapid City, SD Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,250 | 27% below national |
| 263 | El Paso, TX | $44,150 | 27% below national |
| 264 | Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek, OH | $44,100 | 27% below national |
| 265 | Altoona, PA Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $44,060 | 27% below national |
| 266 | Evansville, IN | $44,000 | 27% below national |
| 267 | Mansfield, OH Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,980 | 27% below national |
| 268 | Youngstown-Warren, OH | $43,640 | 28% below national |
| 269 | Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $43,490 | 28% below national |
| 270 | Ocala, FL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,400 | 28% below national |
| 271 | McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, TX | $43,380 | 28% below national |
| 272 | Billings, MT | $43,310 | 28% below national |
| 273 | Abilene, TX Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $43,140 | 28% below national |
| 274 | Montgomery, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,910 | 29% below national |
| 275 | Elizabethtown, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,860 | 29% below national |
| 276 | Morristown, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 30 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,800 | 29% below national |
| 277 | Clarksville, TN-KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 90 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,780 | 29% below national |
| 278 | Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $42,570 | 29% below national |
| 279 | Corpus Christi, TX | $42,230 | 30% below national |
| 280 | Johnson City, TN | $42,170 | 30% below national |
| 281 | Waco, TX | $42,140 | 30% below national |
| 282 | Charleston-North Charleston, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $42,060 | 30% below national |
| 283 | Bowling Green, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $41,860 | 31% below national |
| 284 | Brownsville-Harlingen, TX | $41,080 | 32% below national |
| 285 | Greenville, NC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $40,520 | 33% below national |
| 286 | Albany, GA | $39,980 | 34% below national |
| 287 | Mobile, AL Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 50 workers (fewer than 100). | $38,970 | 35% below national |
| 288 | Birmingham, AL | $38,140 | 37% below national |
| 289 | Longview, TX | $37,630 | 38% below national |
| 290 | Owensboro, KY Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,490 | 38% below national |
| 291 | Jackson, TN Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 70 workers (fewer than 100). | $37,170 | 38% below national |
| 292 | Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $36,210 | 40% below national |
| 293 | Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC Small sample: Small sample: this BLS estimate rests on 40 workers (fewer than 100). | $35,590 | 41% below national |
| 294 | Terre Haute, IN | $35,060 | 42% below national |
| 295 | San Juan-Bayamon-Caguas, PR | $26,500 | 56% below national |
Small sample marks a row whose BLS estimate rests on fewer than 100 workers. It is still a published figure, but BLS reports more sampling error for cells this small: the median relative standard error of the mean wage is 3.4% under 100 workers against 2.1% at 100 or more (May 2025 metro estimates). Small gaps in rank between neighbouring rows may not be meaningful.
Same SOC major group
Other detailed occupations in SOC major group 21 (Community and Social Service Occupations) - category peers, not a pay match.
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
SOC 21-1021
Clergy
SOC 21-2011
Community Health Workers
SOC 21-1094
Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other
SOC 21-1099
Counselors, All Other
SOC 21-1019
Showing 5 of 16 detailed occupations BLS assigns to this SOC major group.
Nationwide occupations with similar pay or employment scale
Two OEWS peer sets outside this SOC major group (Community and Social Service Occupations). Same-category cards above stay inside the group; these neighborhoods are cross-group nearest neighbors on national median pay ($60,280 here) and reported employment (132,810 jobs here).
Similar median pay
Nearest other detailed occupations by BLS OEWS national median annual wage.
Similar employment scale
Nearest headcount peers (floor 1,000 national jobs), distinct from the pay column.
Peers are nearest-neighbor matches on BLS OEWS national median annual wage and reported employment. Employment peers exclude occupations already listed in the pay column so the two link sets stay distinct.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make? ▼
The median annual salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is $60,280 ($28.98/hour). The salary range spans from $39,740 at the 10th percentile to $104,170 at the 90th percentile.
Where does Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay rank nationally? ▼
At a published national median of $60,280, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay is higher than 49% of the 825 detailed occupations with a published BLS annual median in the May 2025 OEWS release. This compares occupation-level medians, not individual workers, job offers, or this occupation's own worker pay-percentile range.
What state pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers the most? ▼
New York pays the highest median salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers at $79,380/year, which is +32% above the national median.
What education do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers need? ▼
BLS assigns Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers to Master's degree for typical education needed for entry. Typical on-the-job training assignment: Internship/residency.
Does BLS publish a safety rate for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers? ▼
BLS does not publish a separate occupation-specific fatality and injury rate for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in this release. WageDex shows the Community and Social Service Occupations SOC-group rate only as broad context and does not rank it as this occupation's measured rate.
Is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers a good career? ▼
Employment for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is projected to grow 9.7% from 2024 to 2034, which is much faster than average. About 13,500 openings are projected each year.
How does Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay vary by state? ▼
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries vary significantly by state. The highest-paying state is New York at $79,380/year, while Puerto Rico pays the least at $26,500/year. BLS data covers 52 states and territories.
Which metro areas pay the most for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers? ▼
The highest published metropolitan-area median in this ranking is Vallejo, CA at $122,930/year. BLS reports a median for 295 metropolitan areas for this occupation. The ranking does not establish why values differ.
What to do with this data
How to use Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay figures in a real decision
- The 75th-percentile wage is about $79,730/year. Treat it as the upper-quartile market boundary, not an automatic target for experience alone; role scope, location, industry, credentials, performance, and employer context still need separate evidence. Salary calculator
- Location moves pay significantly: New York leads at $79,380/year for this role. Weigh state pay against local cost of living before relocating or negotiating remote. Pay by state
- Compare this occupation against similar roles before you decide, so you are reading the pay band in context rather than in isolation. Compare jobs
These are BLS survey estimates for the occupation, not a salary offer or a prediction for any individual. Your pay depends on experience, employer, exact role, and location.
Source data and WageDex calculations are identified in context on this page. Occupation wages use BLS OEWS May 2025; outlook uses BLS Employment Projections for 2024–2034; safety, skills, knowledge, and task panels identify their BLS or O*NET sources in context. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.
This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial or career advice. Actual pay for a specific role, employer, or offer may differ from these national/state figures, consult a qualified career counselor, recruiter, or financial advisor before making decisions based on this data.