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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025).

National Salary Overview

Child, Family, and School Social Workers

Median Salary
$59,110
Average (Mean)
$61,803
Employed Nationwide
392,580
VS

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earns $274 more (0.5%)
Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Child, Family, and School Social WorkersChild, Family, and School So…Child, Family, and School Social Workers: $59,111$59,111Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health CounselorsSubstance Abuse, Behavioral …Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: $59,385$59,385

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $59,110 $59,385
Average (Mean) Salary $61,803 $63,880
Total Employment 392,580 487,020
States with Higher Pay 23 28

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 23 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 28.

State Child, Family, and School Social Workers Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Difference
Alabama $46,660
$47,310
$-650
Alaska $62,630
$80,770
$-18,140
Arizona $50,150
$65,300
$-15,150
Arkansas $43,330
$51,580
$-8,250
California $65,200
$59,250
+$5,950
Colorado $63,720
$62,390
+$1,330
Connecticut $78,970
$63,590
+$15,380
Delaware $48,520
$56,020
$-7,500
District of Columbia $73,550
$60,450
+$13,100
Florida $56,550
$56,790
$-240
Georgia $47,510
$58,960
$-11,450
Hawaii $68,270
$60,090
+$8,180
Idaho $59,840
$63,360
$-3,520
Illinois $63,220
$60,730
+$2,490
Indiana $50,470
$53,760
$-3,290
Iowa $52,250
$60,880
$-8,630
Kansas $54,300
$59,470
$-5,170
Kentucky $59,100
$54,190
+$4,910
Louisiana $56,800
$37,910
+$18,890
Maine $63,290
$59,970
+$3,320
Maryland $76,390
$59,530
+$16,860
Massachusetts $75,570
$59,890
+$15,680
Michigan $59,270
$61,690
$-2,420
Minnesota $67,450
$58,780
+$8,670
Mississippi $46,530
$46,990
$-460
Missouri $48,520
$56,910
$-8,390
Montana $56,780
$59,000
$-2,220
Nebraska $47,770
$63,770
$-16,000
Nevada $61,080
$57,210
+$3,870
New Hampshire $71,010
$54,840
+$16,170
New Jersey $76,280
$62,820
+$13,460
New Mexico $56,160
$74,100
$-17,940
New York $65,100
$59,450
+$5,650
North Carolina $59,610
$55,490
+$4,120
North Dakota $64,560
$68,630
$-4,070
Ohio $51,520
$58,360
$-6,840
Oklahoma $43,950
$59,350
$-15,400
Oregon $64,130
$74,590
$-10,460
Pennsylvania $50,820
$52,010
$-1,190
Rhode Island $69,870
$65,120
+$4,750
South Carolina $51,800
$52,370
$-570
South Dakota $51,100
$53,650
$-2,550
Tennessee $56,310
$49,580
+$6,730
Texas $55,680
$62,630
$-6,950
Utah $52,000
$63,890
$-11,890
Vermont $67,340
$61,810
+$5,530
Virginia $61,330
$59,880
+$1,450
Washington $74,480
$68,910
+$5,570
West Virginia $52,220
$49,430
+$2,790
Wisconsin $59,280
$62,220
$-2,940
Wyoming $56,420
$62,980
$-6,560

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.

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 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earns more than a Child, Family, and School Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $274 (0.5%) based on 2025 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 23 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 28 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 $59,110 per year, compared to $59,385 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2025 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 392,580 Child, Family, and School Social Workers positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
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.

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