Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: 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

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Median Salary
$54,035
Average (Mean)
$58,677
Employed Nationwide
397,880
Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns $203 more (0.4%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $54,238 $54,035
Average (Mean) Salary $57,021 $58,677
Total Employment 352,190 397,880
States with Higher Pay 24 27

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

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Child, Family, and School Social Workers pays more in 24 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 27.

State Child, Family, and School Social Workers Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Difference
Alabama $45,970
$44,890
+$1,080
Alaska $63,360
$70,860
$-7,500
Arizona $48,220
$58,640
$-10,420
Arkansas $44,820
$56,730
$-11,910
California $65,840
$58,080
+$7,760
Colorado $62,520
$58,110
+$4,410
Connecticut $63,050
$58,710
+$4,340
Delaware $44,820
$45,810
$-990
District of Columbia $73,560
$64,270
+$9,290
Florida $47,490
$52,260
$-4,770
Georgia $46,330
$48,290
$-1,960
Hawaii $65,920
$46,740
+$19,180
Idaho $57,090
$58,360
$-1,270
Illinois $59,220
$57,500
+$1,720
Indiana $49,300
$45,510
+$3,790
Iowa $46,860
$59,000
$-12,140
Kansas $48,950
$50,990
$-2,040
Kentucky $43,510
$47,060
$-3,550
Louisiana $54,090
$36,430
+$17,660
Maine $60,880
$53,900
+$6,980
Maryland $67,070
$54,460
+$12,610
Massachusetts $61,970
$54,920
+$7,050
Michigan $57,210
$56,160
+$1,050
Minnesota $67,080
$51,130
+$15,950
Mississippi $41,620
$42,010
$-390
Missouri $41,620
$48,130
$-6,510
Montana $47,070
$52,490
$-5,420
Nebraska $46,050
$58,320
$-12,270
Nevada $53,390
$57,580
$-4,190
New Hampshire $58,060
$54,470
+$3,590
New Jersey $73,100
$60,250
+$12,850
New Mexico $47,380
$62,120
$-14,740
New York $67,370
$59,740
+$7,630
North Carolina $50,820
$51,790
$-970
North Dakota $62,160
$61,240
+$920
Ohio $48,250
$50,580
$-2,330
Oklahoma $42,020
$57,190
$-15,170
Oregon $60,220
$62,070
$-1,850
Pennsylvania $50,140
$50,450
$-310
Rhode Island $64,920
$46,030
+$18,890
South Carolina $44,390
$47,480
$-3,090
South Dakota $47,930
$48,520
$-590
Tennessee $48,410
$45,490
+$2,920
Texas $50,380
$52,190
$-1,810
Utah $47,010
$62,870
$-15,860
Vermont $59,700
$56,980
+$2,720
Virginia $57,240
$54,590
+$2,650
Washington $63,170
$58,540
+$4,630
West Virginia $46,060
$44,140
+$1,920
Wisconsin $52,010
$58,740
$-6,730
Wyoming $50,540
$62,990
$-12,450

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. The national median salary difference is $203 (0.4%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Child, Family, and School Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 24 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 27 states.
What is the median salary for a Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Child, Family, and School Social Workers is $54,238 per year, compared to $54,035 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
There are more people employed as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. BLS reports approximately 352,190 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 397,880 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Child, Family, and School Social Workers and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 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.