The average salary for a mental health and substance abuse social worker in the United States is $63,870, but the range typically falls between $43,750 and $74,810. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $30.71, with a range between $21.03 and $35.97.
There are approximately 114,680 people employed as a mental health and substance abuse social worker in the United States. With California, New York, Ohio employing the highest number of mental health and substance abuse social workers.The state with the best pay for a mental health and substance abuse social worker is District of Columbia, with an average annual salary of $77,600, while West Virginia has the lowest average annual salary of $43,130.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,750 | $21.03 |
| Median | $55,960 | $26.9 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,810 | $35.97 |
| 90th Percentile | $100,090 | $48.12 |
The salary of a mental health and substance abuse social worker can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a mental health and substance abuse social worker in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for mental health and substance abuse social workers are District of Columbia, Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire, California while the worst states are West Virginia, Oklahoma, Alabama, Missouri, Wyoming.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $25,460 | $39,830 | $56,250 |
| Alaska | $42,240 | $63,680 | $102,170 |
| Arizona | $38,490 | $47,710 | $64,160 |
| Arkansas | $31,000 | $50,350 | $63,870 |
| California | $41,620 | $81,330 | $130,590 |
| Colorado | $39,370 | $61,330 | $82,110 |
| Connecticut | $43,300 | $77,930 | $105,230 |
| Delaware | $42,400 | $56,880 | $81,380 |
| District of Columbia | $46,110 | $77,600 | $108,180 |
| Florida | $35,660 | $55,540 | $74,220 |
| Georgia | $35,710 | $54,440 | $82,570 |
| Hawaii | $46,220 | $59,660 | $79,760 |
| Idaho | $37,770 | $55,150 | $78,910 |
| Illinois | $37,230 | $56,780 | $80,900 |
| Indiana | $36,690 | $56,310 | $75,000 |
| Iowa | $37,440 | $52,260 | $69,310 |
| Kansas | $38,840 | $55,300 | $72,190 |
| Kentucky | $32,430 | $49,310 | $70,460 |
| Louisiana | $29,200 | $48,980 | $74,700 |
| Maine | $47,790 | $68,450 | $98,640 |
| Maryland | $36,630 | $60,200 | $94,760 |
| Massachusetts | $41,590 | $64,810 | $96,070 |
| Michigan | $37,550 | $57,340 | $77,590 |
| Minnesota | $49,430 | $69,990 | $93,380 |
| Mississippi | $22,840 | $44,950 | $62,700 |
| Missouri | $34,370 | $42,760 | $58,270 |
| Montana | $35,050 | $45,270 | $62,630 |
| Nebraska | $34,000 | $44,470 | $52,210 |
| Nevada | $35,520 | $52,530 | $75,880 |
| New Hampshire | $57,320 | $72,240 | $95,870 |
| New Jersey | $43,630 | $76,690 | $104,000 |
| New Mexico | $29,470 | $53,870 | $73,110 |
| New York | $45,620 | $92,470 | $133,270 |
| North Carolina | $34,320 | $52,640 | $69,590 |
| North Dakota | $44,590 | $58,510 | $78,140 |
| Ohio | $34,150 | $50,400 | $73,540 |
| Oklahoma | $27,140 | $40,230 | $56,000 |
| Oregon | $37,040 | $61,120 | $88,040 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,270 | $48,420 | $69,630 |
| Rhode Island | $39,540 | $73,320 | $131,040 |
| South Carolina | $29,500 | $46,860 | $67,280 |
| South Dakota | $35,130 | $46,130 | $59,470 |
| Tennessee | $31,450 | $46,050 | $61,910 |
| Texas | $35,160 | $47,660 | $64,490 |
| Utah | $30,370 | $56,510 | $85,440 |
| Vermont | $44,680 | $65,600 | $92,370 |
| Virginia | $40,400 | $63,500 | $99,390 |
| Washington | $43,960 | $67,280 | $99,280 |
| West Virginia | $27,800 | $43,130 | $65,270 |
| Wisconsin | $37,920 | $54,630 | $76,000 |
| Wyoming | $16,700 | $46,570 | $67,180 |
Even between cities, the salary of a mental health and substance abuse social worker can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $101,540.The city with the lowest average salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers is Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area, AL with an average salary of $27,840.
Areas with highest average salaries for mental health and substance abuse social workers
Areas with lowest average salaries for mental health and substance abuse social workers
The number of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of mental health and substance abuse social workers has decreased by -2,100. On average, the number of mental health and substance abuse social workers has been increasing by -0.4% each year. The salary of mental health and substance abuse social workers has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of mental health and substance abuse social workers has increased by $9,330. On average, the salary of mental health and substance abuse social workers has been increasing by 4.3% each year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are part of the community and social service occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all community and social service occupations jobs here.
$52,360 per year
$52,610 per year
$59,190 per year
$44,240 per year
$68,800 per year
$60,080 per year
