National Salary Overview
Health Education Specialists
Median Salary
$65,866
Average (Mean)
$70,866
Employed Nationwide
60,570
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
Health Education Specialists earns $8,705 more (15.2%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$65,866
$57,161
Average (Mean) Salary
$70,866
$62,053
Total Employment
60,570
132,190
States with Higher Pay
39
12
Salary by State: Health Education Specialists vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Health Education Specialists pays more in 39 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 12.
| State | Health Education Specialists | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,210 | $41,500 | +$23,710 | ||
| Alaska | $71,940 | $56,710 | +$15,230 | ||
| Arizona | $63,390 | $46,380 | +$17,010 | ||
| Arkansas | $62,270 | $58,590 | +$3,680 | ||
| California | $63,610 | $79,000 | $-15,390 | ||
| Colorado | $74,150 | $65,620 | +$8,530 | ||
| Connecticut | $66,870 | $78,640 | $-11,770 | ||
| Delaware | $63,300 | $60,060 | +$3,240 | ||
| District of Columbia | $103,330 | $73,310 | +$30,020 | ||
| Florida | $46,360 | $51,590 | $-5,230 | ||
| Georgia | $99,400 | $52,030 | +$47,370 | ||
| Hawaii | $63,740 | $54,390 | +$9,350 | ||
| Idaho | $61,330 | $52,520 | +$8,810 | ||
| Illinois | $60,120 | $49,960 | +$10,160 | ||
| Indiana | $58,170 | $48,300 | +$9,870 | ||
| Iowa | $75,750 | $48,530 | +$27,220 | ||
| Kansas | $62,990 | $56,330 | +$6,660 | ||
| Kentucky | $65,370 | $42,570 | +$22,800 | ||
| Louisiana | $57,840 | $47,100 | +$10,740 | ||
| Maine | $58,300 | $57,050 | +$1,250 | ||
| Maryland | $104,470 | $73,580 | +$30,890 | ||
| Massachusetts | $57,510 | $62,500 | $-4,990 | ||
| Michigan | $56,360 | $60,830 | $-4,470 | ||
| Minnesota | $78,400 | $75,020 | +$3,380 | ||
| Mississippi | $51,020 | $48,970 | +$2,050 | ||
| Missouri | $57,050 | $49,560 | +$7,490 | ||
| Montana | $51,200 | $45,160 | +$6,040 | ||
| Nebraska | $56,800 | $43,240 | +$13,560 | ||
| Nevada | $62,120 | $62,900 | $-780 | ||
| New Hampshire | $69,990 | $63,900 | +$6,090 | ||
| New Jersey | $73,740 | $66,590 | +$7,150 | ||
| New Mexico | $57,990 | $65,640 | $-7,650 | ||
| New York | $62,560 | $79,380 | $-16,820 | ||
| North Carolina | $58,080 | $58,210 | $-130 | ||
| North Dakota | $59,650 | $60,980 | $-1,330 | ||
| Ohio | $64,860 | $46,080 | +$18,780 | ||
| Oklahoma | $62,440 | $43,120 | +$19,320 | ||
| Oregon | $75,500 | $68,210 | +$7,290 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 | $48,290 | +$32,380 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,360 | $60,990 | +$14,370 | ||
| South Carolina | $64,720 | $39,930 | +$24,790 | ||
| South Dakota | $57,370 | $48,920 | +$8,450 | ||
| Tennessee | $49,630 | $46,500 | +$3,130 | ||
| Texas | $59,340 | $46,630 | +$12,710 | ||
| Utah | $59,790 | $50,770 | +$9,020 | ||
| Vermont | $68,140 | $73,210 | $-5,070 | ||
| Virginia | $64,040 | $64,240 | $-200 | ||
| Washington | $77,420 | $70,460 | +$6,960 | ||
| West Virginia | $62,760 | $50,070 | +$12,690 | ||
| Wisconsin | $74,040 | $61,860 | +$12,180 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,750 | $59,310 | +$3,440 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Health Education Specialists 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: Health Education Specialists or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
On average across all states, a Health Education Specialists earns more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $8,705 (15.2%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Health Education Specialists earn more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
A Health Education Specialists earns a higher median salary than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 39 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 12 states.
What is the median salary for a Health Education Specialists vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
The national median salary for a Health Education Specialists is $65,866 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: Health Education Specialists or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
There are more people employed as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 60,570 Health Education Specialists positions and 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Health Education Specialists or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Both Health Education Specialists 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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