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Community Health Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: 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

Community Health Workers

Median Salary
$51,147
Average (Mean)
$54,050
Employed Nationwide
59,770
VS

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns $6,013 more (11.8%)
Community Health Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Community Health WorkersCommunity Health WorkersCommunity Health Workers: $51,148$51,148Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social WorkersMental Health and Substance …Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: $57,161$57,161

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $51,147 $57,161
Average (Mean) Salary $54,050 $62,053
Total Employment 59,770 132,190
States with Higher Pay 13 38

Salary by State: Community Health Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Community Health Workers pays more in 13 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 38.

State Community Health Workers Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Difference
Alabama $43,340
$41,500
+$1,840
Alaska $52,000
$56,710
$-4,710
Arizona $48,950
$46,380
+$2,570
Arkansas $44,890
$58,590
$-13,700
California $58,050
$79,000
$-20,950
Colorado $59,260
$65,620
$-6,360
Connecticut $53,560
$78,640
$-25,080
Delaware $55,850
$60,060
$-4,210
District of Columbia $62,510
$73,310
$-10,800
Florida $45,420
$51,590
$-6,170
Georgia $50,680
$52,030
$-1,350
Hawaii $58,450
$54,390
+$4,060
Idaho $52,050
$52,520
$-470
Illinois $49,240
$49,960
$-720
Indiana $47,960
$48,300
$-340
Iowa $47,780
$48,530
$-750
Kansas $47,300
$56,330
$-9,030
Kentucky $48,230
$42,570
+$5,660
Louisiana $46,450
$47,100
$-650
Maine $48,670
$57,050
$-8,380
Maryland $50,550
$73,580
$-23,030
Massachusetts $55,560
$62,500
$-6,940
Michigan $49,380
$60,830
$-11,450
Minnesota $47,560
$75,020
$-27,460
Mississippi $39,520
$48,970
$-9,450
Missouri $48,770
$49,560
$-790
Montana $49,780
$45,160
+$4,620
Nebraska $51,780
$43,240
+$8,540
Nevada $57,730
$62,900
$-5,170
New Hampshire $66,680
$63,900
+$2,780
New Jersey $55,790
$66,590
$-10,800
New Mexico $54,830
$65,640
$-10,810
New York $58,130
$79,380
$-21,250
North Carolina $47,560
$58,210
$-10,650
North Dakota $59,610
$60,980
$-1,370
Ohio $50,650
$46,080
+$4,570
Oklahoma $45,790
$43,120
+$2,670
Oregon $53,350
$68,210
$-14,860
Pennsylvania $50,710
$48,290
+$2,420
Rhode Island $53,100
$60,990
$-7,890
South Carolina $47,970
$39,930
+$8,040
South Dakota $45,700
$48,920
$-3,220
Tennessee $42,310
$46,500
$-4,190
Texas $48,720
$46,630
+$2,090
Utah $55,700
$50,770
+$4,930
Vermont $51,500
$73,210
$-21,710
Virginia $48,910
$64,240
$-15,330
Washington $57,070
$70,460
$-13,390
West Virginia $37,950
$50,070
$-12,120
Wisconsin $51,210
$61,860
$-10,650
Wyoming $54,020
$59,310
$-5,290

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Community Health 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: Community Health Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
On average across all states, a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns more than a Community Health Workers. The national median salary difference is $6,013 (11.8%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Community Health Workers earn more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
A Community Health Workers earns a higher median salary than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 13 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 38 states.
What is the median salary for a Community Health Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
The national median salary for a Community Health Workers is $51,147 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: Community Health Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
There are more people employed as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 59,770 Community Health Workers positions and 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Community Health Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Both Community Health 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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