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Community Health 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

Community Health Workers

Median Salary
$51,147
Average (Mean)
$54,050
Employed Nationwide
59,770
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 $8,237 more (16.1%)
Community Health Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors national median (BLS 2025)Ranked horizontal bars comparing 2 entries.Community Health WorkersCommunity Health WorkersCommunity Health Workers: $51,148$51,148Substance 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 $51,147 $59,385
Average (Mean) Salary $54,050 $63,880
Total Employment 59,770 487,020
States with Higher Pay 4 47

Salary by State: Community Health Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Community Health Workers pays more in 4 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 47.

State Community Health Workers Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Difference
Alabama $43,340
$47,310
$-3,970
Alaska $52,000
$80,770
$-28,770
Arizona $48,950
$65,300
$-16,350
Arkansas $44,890
$51,580
$-6,690
California $58,050
$59,250
$-1,200
Colorado $59,260
$62,390
$-3,130
Connecticut $53,560
$63,590
$-10,030
Delaware $55,850
$56,020
$-170
District of Columbia $62,510
$60,450
+$2,060
Florida $45,420
$56,790
$-11,370
Georgia $50,680
$58,960
$-8,280
Hawaii $58,450
$60,090
$-1,640
Idaho $52,050
$63,360
$-11,310
Illinois $49,240
$60,730
$-11,490
Indiana $47,960
$53,760
$-5,800
Iowa $47,780
$60,880
$-13,100
Kansas $47,300
$59,470
$-12,170
Kentucky $48,230
$54,190
$-5,960
Louisiana $46,450
$37,910
+$8,540
Maine $48,670
$59,970
$-11,300
Maryland $50,550
$59,530
$-8,980
Massachusetts $55,560
$59,890
$-4,330
Michigan $49,380
$61,690
$-12,310
Minnesota $47,560
$58,780
$-11,220
Mississippi $39,520
$46,990
$-7,470
Missouri $48,770
$56,910
$-8,140
Montana $49,780
$59,000
$-9,220
Nebraska $51,780
$63,770
$-11,990
Nevada $57,730
$57,210
+$520
New Hampshire $66,680
$54,840
+$11,840
New Jersey $55,790
$62,820
$-7,030
New Mexico $54,830
$74,100
$-19,270
New York $58,130
$59,450
$-1,320
North Carolina $47,560
$55,490
$-7,930
North Dakota $59,610
$68,630
$-9,020
Ohio $50,650
$58,360
$-7,710
Oklahoma $45,790
$59,350
$-13,560
Oregon $53,350
$74,590
$-21,240
Pennsylvania $50,710
$52,010
$-1,300
Rhode Island $53,100
$65,120
$-12,020
South Carolina $47,970
$52,370
$-4,400
South Dakota $45,700
$53,650
$-7,950
Tennessee $42,310
$49,580
$-7,270
Texas $48,720
$62,630
$-13,910
Utah $55,700
$63,890
$-8,190
Vermont $51,500
$61,810
$-10,310
Virginia $48,910
$59,880
$-10,970
Washington $57,070
$68,910
$-11,840
West Virginia $37,950
$49,430
$-11,480
Wisconsin $51,210
$62,220
$-11,010
Wyoming $54,020
$62,980
$-8,960

Explore This Comparison by State

Dive deeper — see how Community Health 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: Community Health 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 Community Health Workers. The national median salary difference is $8,237 (16.1%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Community Health Workers earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Community Health Workers earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 4 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 47 states.
What is the median salary for a Community Health Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Community Health Workers is $51,147 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: Community Health 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 59,770 Community Health Workers positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Community Health Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Community Health 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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