Healthcare Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Salary Comparison

Side-by-side salary data across all 50 states. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024).

National Salary Overview

Healthcare Social Workers

Median Salary
$64,198
Average (Mean)
$65,650
Employed Nationwide
185,000
VS

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Median Salary
$54,035
Average (Mean)
$58,677
Employed Nationwide
397,880
Healthcare Social Workers earns $10,162 more (18.8%)

Key Metrics Compared

Median Salary $64,198 $54,035
Average (Mean) Salary $65,650 $58,677
Total Employment 185,000 397,880
States with Higher Pay 43 8

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

Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Healthcare Social Workers pays more in 43 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 8.

State Healthcare Social Workers Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Difference
Alabama $55,850
$44,890
+$10,960
Alaska $64,500
$70,860
$-6,360
Arizona $63,790
$58,640
+$5,150
Arkansas $60,580
$56,730
+$3,850
California $89,800
$58,080
+$31,720
Colorado $62,660
$58,110
+$4,550
Connecticut $79,210
$58,710
+$20,500
Delaware $63,460
$45,810
+$17,650
District of Columbia $83,460
$64,270
+$19,190
Florida $61,940
$52,260
+$9,680
Georgia $59,280
$48,290
+$10,990
Hawaii $76,480
$46,740
+$29,740
Idaho $67,460
$58,360
+$9,100
Illinois $63,880
$57,500
+$6,380
Indiana $61,710
$45,510
+$16,200
Iowa $60,630
$59,000
+$1,630
Kansas $61,810
$50,990
+$10,820
Kentucky $60,830
$47,060
+$13,770
Louisiana $61,620
$36,430
+$25,190
Maine $64,040
$53,900
+$10,140
Maryland $63,700
$54,460
+$9,240
Massachusetts $64,860
$54,920
+$9,940
Michigan $62,880
$56,160
+$6,720
Minnesota $68,470
$51,130
+$17,340
Mississippi $53,130
$42,010
+$11,120
Missouri $47,810
$48,130
$-320
Montana $58,060
$52,490
+$5,570
Nebraska $58,160
$58,320
$-160
Nevada $70,690
$57,580
+$13,110
New Hampshire $75,100
$54,470
+$20,630
New Jersey $77,680
$60,250
+$17,430
New Mexico $61,440
$62,120
$-680
New York $58,860
$59,740
$-880
North Carolina $62,320
$51,790
+$10,530
North Dakota $63,750
$61,240
+$2,510
Ohio $61,520
$50,580
+$10,940
Oklahoma $49,880
$57,190
$-7,310
Oregon $81,380
$62,070
+$19,310
Pennsylvania $62,200
$50,450
+$11,750
Rhode Island $76,750
$46,030
+$30,720
South Carolina $60,230
$47,480
+$12,750
South Dakota $48,370
$48,520
$-150
Tennessee $57,110
$45,490
+$11,620
Texas $63,260
$52,190
+$11,070
Utah $67,880
$62,870
+$5,010
Vermont $67,240
$56,980
+$10,260
Virginia $61,260
$54,590
+$6,670
Washington $65,130
$58,540
+$6,590
West Virginia $58,730
$44,140
+$14,590
Wisconsin $60,980
$58,740
+$2,240
Wyoming $62,280
$62,990
$-710

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes more: Healthcare Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Healthcare Social Workers earns more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. The national median salary difference is $10,162 (18.8%) based on 2024 BLS data.
In how many states does a Healthcare Social Workers earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Healthcare Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 43 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 8 states.
What is the median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Healthcare Social Workers is $64,198 per year, compared to $54,035 for a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, according to 2024 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Healthcare 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 185,000 Healthcare Social Workers positions and 397,880 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2024).
Should I become a Healthcare Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Healthcare 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.