National Salary Overview
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
Healthcare Social Workers earns $11,446 more (20.0%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$68,608
$57,161
Average (Mean) Salary
$70,061
$62,053
Total Employment
187,650
132,190
States with Higher Pay
47
4
Salary by State: Healthcare Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Healthcare Social Workers pays more in 47 states; Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 4.
| State | Healthcare Social Workers | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,000 | $41,500 | +$18,500 | ||
| Alaska | $62,000 | $56,710 | +$5,290 | ||
| Arizona | $64,030 | $46,380 | +$17,650 | ||
| Arkansas | $55,640 | $58,590 | $-2,950 | ||
| California | $89,660 | $79,000 | +$10,660 | ||
| Colorado | $63,480 | $65,620 | $-2,140 | ||
| Connecticut | $79,900 | $78,640 | +$1,260 | ||
| Delaware | $64,620 | $60,060 | +$4,560 | ||
| District of Columbia | $94,100 | $73,310 | +$20,790 | ||
| Florida | $64,820 | $51,590 | +$13,230 | ||
| Georgia | $62,420 | $52,030 | +$10,390 | ||
| Hawaii | $85,420 | $54,390 | +$31,030 | ||
| Idaho | $74,500 | $52,520 | +$21,980 | ||
| Illinois | $64,270 | $49,960 | +$14,310 | ||
| Indiana | $64,580 | $48,300 | +$16,280 | ||
| Iowa | $63,050 | $48,530 | +$14,520 | ||
| Kansas | $64,440 | $56,330 | +$8,110 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,080 | $42,570 | +$21,510 | ||
| Louisiana | $61,080 | $47,100 | +$13,980 | ||
| Maine | $71,610 | $57,050 | +$14,560 | ||
| Maryland | $76,440 | $73,580 | +$2,860 | ||
| Massachusetts | $76,440 | $62,500 | +$13,940 | ||
| Michigan | $67,600 | $60,830 | +$6,770 | ||
| Minnesota | $73,970 | $75,020 | $-1,050 | ||
| Mississippi | $62,250 | $48,970 | +$13,280 | ||
| Missouri | $59,870 | $49,560 | +$10,310 | ||
| Montana | $57,090 | $45,160 | +$11,930 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,420 | $43,240 | +$19,180 | ||
| Nevada | $78,470 | $62,900 | +$15,570 | ||
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | $63,900 | +$14,360 | ||
| New Jersey | $82,690 | $66,590 | +$16,100 | ||
| New Mexico | $65,930 | $65,640 | +$290 | ||
| New York | $73,070 | $79,380 | $-6,310 | ||
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $58,210 | +$5,070 | ||
| North Dakota | $62,860 | $60,980 | +$1,880 | ||
| Ohio | $63,610 | $46,080 | +$17,530 | ||
| Oklahoma | $56,120 | $43,120 | +$13,000 | ||
| Oregon | $84,350 | $68,210 | +$16,140 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $61,900 | $48,290 | +$13,610 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,390 | $60,990 | +$14,400 | ||
| South Carolina | $60,840 | $39,930 | +$20,910 | ||
| South Dakota | $57,510 | $48,920 | +$8,590 | ||
| Tennessee | $61,240 | $46,500 | +$14,740 | ||
| Texas | $69,990 | $46,630 | +$23,360 | ||
| Utah | $78,150 | $50,770 | +$27,380 | ||
| Vermont | $81,140 | $73,210 | +$7,930 | ||
| Virginia | $66,550 | $64,240 | +$2,310 | ||
| Washington | $78,570 | $70,460 | +$8,110 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,140 | $50,070 | +$10,070 | ||
| Wisconsin | $66,910 | $61,860 | +$5,050 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,260 | $59,310 | +$2,950 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Healthcare Social 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: Healthcare Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
On average across all states, a Healthcare Social Workers earns more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $11,446 (20.0%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Healthcare Social Workers earn more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
A Healthcare Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in 47 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 4 states.
What is the median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers vs Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
The national median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers is $68,608 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: Healthcare Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
There are more people employed as Healthcare Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 187,650 Healthcare Social Workers positions and 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Healthcare Social Workers or Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Both Healthcare Social 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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