National Salary Overview
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Median Salary
$59,110
Average (Mean)
$61,803
Employed Nationwide
392,580
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $1,949 more (3.4%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$59,110
$57,161
Average (Mean) Salary
$61,803
$62,053
Total Employment
392,580
132,190
States with Higher Pay
33
18
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 33 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 18.
| State | Child, Family, and School Social Workers | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $46,660 | $41,500 | +$5,160 | ||
| Alaska | $62,630 | $56,710 | +$5,920 | ||
| Arizona | $50,150 | $46,380 | +$3,770 | ||
| Arkansas | $43,330 | $58,590 | $-15,260 | ||
| California | $65,200 | $79,000 | $-13,800 | ||
| Colorado | $63,720 | $65,620 | $-1,900 | ||
| Connecticut | $78,970 | $78,640 | +$330 | ||
| Delaware | $48,520 | $60,060 | $-11,540 | ||
| District of Columbia | $73,550 | $73,310 | +$240 | ||
| Florida | $56,550 | $51,590 | +$4,960 | ||
| Georgia | $47,510 | $52,030 | $-4,520 | ||
| Hawaii | $68,270 | $54,390 | +$13,880 | ||
| Idaho | $59,840 | $52,520 | +$7,320 | ||
| Illinois | $63,220 | $49,960 | +$13,260 | ||
| Indiana | $50,470 | $48,300 | +$2,170 | ||
| Iowa | $52,250 | $48,530 | +$3,720 | ||
| Kansas | $54,300 | $56,330 | $-2,030 | ||
| Kentucky | $59,100 | $42,570 | +$16,530 | ||
| Louisiana | $56,800 | $47,100 | +$9,700 | ||
| Maine | $63,290 | $57,050 | +$6,240 | ||
| Maryland | $76,390 | $73,580 | +$2,810 | ||
| Massachusetts | $75,570 | $62,500 | +$13,070 | ||
| Michigan | $59,270 | $60,830 | $-1,560 | ||
| Minnesota | $67,450 | $75,020 | $-7,570 | ||
| Mississippi | $46,530 | $48,970 | $-2,440 | ||
| Missouri | $48,520 | $49,560 | $-1,040 | ||
| Montana | $56,780 | $45,160 | +$11,620 | ||
| Nebraska | $47,770 | $43,240 | +$4,530 | ||
| Nevada | $61,080 | $62,900 | $-1,820 | ||
| New Hampshire | $71,010 | $63,900 | +$7,110 | ||
| New Jersey | $76,280 | $66,590 | +$9,690 | ||
| New Mexico | $56,160 | $65,640 | $-9,480 | ||
| New York | $65,100 | $79,380 | $-14,280 | ||
| North Carolina | $59,610 | $58,210 | +$1,400 | ||
| North Dakota | $64,560 | $60,980 | +$3,580 | ||
| Ohio | $51,520 | $46,080 | +$5,440 | ||
| Oklahoma | $43,950 | $43,120 | +$830 | ||
| Oregon | $64,130 | $68,210 | $-4,080 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $50,820 | $48,290 | +$2,530 | ||
| Rhode Island | $69,870 | $60,990 | +$8,880 | ||
| South Carolina | $51,800 | $39,930 | +$11,870 | ||
| South Dakota | $51,100 | $48,920 | +$2,180 | ||
| Tennessee | $56,310 | $46,500 | +$9,810 | ||
| Texas | $55,680 | $46,630 | +$9,050 | ||
| Utah | $52,000 | $50,770 | +$1,230 | ||
| Vermont | $67,340 | $73,210 | $-5,870 | ||
| Virginia | $61,330 | $64,240 | $-2,910 | ||
| Washington | $74,480 | $70,460 | +$4,020 | ||
| West Virginia | $52,220 | $50,070 | +$2,150 | ||
| Wisconsin | $59,280 | $61,860 | $-2,580 | ||
| Wyoming | $56,420 | $59,310 | $-2,890 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
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 $1,949 (3.4%) based on 2025 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 33 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 18 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 $59,110 per year, compared to $57,161 for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers, according to 2025 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 392,580 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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