Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Median Salary
$54,238
Average (Mean)
$57,021
Employed Nationwide
352,190
VS

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median Salary
$53,607
Average (Mean)
$57,156
Employed Nationwide
114,690
Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $630 more (1.2%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $54,238 $53,607
Average (Mean) Salary $57,021 $57,156
Total Employment 352,190 114,690
States with Higher Pay 28 23

Salary by State: Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Child, Family, and School Social Workers pays more in 28 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 23.

State Child, Family, and School Social Workers Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Difference
Alabama $45,970
$37,870
+$8,100
Alaska $63,360
$60,120
+$3,240
Arizona $48,220
$45,100
+$3,120
Arkansas $44,820
$45,910
$-1,090
California $65,840
$71,450
$-5,610
Colorado $62,520
$60,450
+$2,070
Connecticut $63,050
$78,720
$-15,670
Delaware $44,820
$54,550
$-9,730
District of Columbia $73,560
$84,560
$-11,000
Florida $47,490
$50,900
$-3,410
Georgia $46,330
$47,340
$-1,010
Hawaii $65,920
$55,570
+$10,350
Idaho $57,090
$48,040
+$9,050
Illinois $59,220
$49,550
+$9,670
Indiana $49,300
$50,950
$-1,650
Iowa $46,860
$48,850
$-1,990
Kansas $48,950
$51,660
$-2,710
Kentucky $43,510
$44,820
$-1,310
Louisiana $54,090
$44,300
+$9,790
Maine $60,880
$66,380
$-5,500
Maryland $67,070
$55,060
+$12,010
Massachusetts $61,970
$61,760
+$210
Michigan $57,210
$57,290
$-80
Minnesota $67,080
$65,890
+$1,190
Mississippi $41,620
$45,540
$-3,920
Missouri $41,620
$38,150
+$3,470
Montana $47,070
$39,310
+$7,760
Nebraska $46,050
$45,180
+$870
Nevada $53,390
$53,020
+$370
New Hampshire $58,060
$71,760
$-13,700
New Jersey $73,100
$69,980
+$3,120
New Mexico $47,380
$55,380
$-8,000
New York $67,370
$75,960
$-8,590
North Carolina $50,820
$53,220
$-2,400
North Dakota $62,160
$55,850
+$6,310
Ohio $48,250
$45,150
+$3,100
Oklahoma $42,020
$37,740
+$4,280
Oregon $60,220
$59,120
+$1,100
Pennsylvania $50,140
$45,700
+$4,440
Rhode Island $64,920
$66,000
$-1,080
South Carolina $44,390
$48,220
$-3,830
South Dakota $47,930
$43,990
+$3,940
Tennessee $48,410
$43,890
+$4,520
Texas $50,380
$45,350
+$5,030
Utah $47,010
$46,040
+$970
Vermont $59,700
$61,070
$-1,370
Virginia $57,240
$58,070
$-830
Washington $63,170
$64,850
$-1,680
West Virginia $46,060
$37,740
+$8,320
Wisconsin $52,010
$51,540
+$470
Wyoming $50,540
$39,090
+$11,450

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
On average across all states, a Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $630 (1.2%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
A Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 28 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 23 states.
What is the median salary for a Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
The national median salary for a Child, Family, and School Social Workers is $54,238 per year, compared to $53,607 for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
There are more people employed as Child, Family, and School Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 352,190 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 114,690 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Both Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are viable career paths. Beyond salary, consider factors like job availability in your state, work-life balance, education requirements, growth potential, and personal interests. Visit each occupation's salary page for state-specific data and career insights.