National Salary Overview
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Healthcare Social Workers earns $9,222 more (15.5%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$68,608
$59,385
Average (Mean) Salary
$70,061
$63,880
Total Employment
187,650
487,020
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 | $60,000 | $47,310 | +$12,690 | ||
| Alaska | $62,000 | $80,770 | $-18,770 | ||
| Arizona | $64,030 | $65,300 | $-1,270 | ||
| Arkansas | $55,640 | $51,580 | +$4,060 | ||
| California | $89,660 | $59,250 | +$30,410 | ||
| Colorado | $63,480 | $62,390 | +$1,090 | ||
| Connecticut | $79,900 | $63,590 | +$16,310 | ||
| Delaware | $64,620 | $56,020 | +$8,600 | ||
| District of Columbia | $94,100 | $60,450 | +$33,650 | ||
| Florida | $64,820 | $56,790 | +$8,030 | ||
| Georgia | $62,420 | $58,960 | +$3,460 | ||
| Hawaii | $85,420 | $60,090 | +$25,330 | ||
| Idaho | $74,500 | $63,360 | +$11,140 | ||
| Illinois | $64,270 | $60,730 | +$3,540 | ||
| Indiana | $64,580 | $53,760 | +$10,820 | ||
| Iowa | $63,050 | $60,880 | +$2,170 | ||
| Kansas | $64,440 | $59,470 | +$4,970 | ||
| Kentucky | $64,080 | $54,190 | +$9,890 | ||
| Louisiana | $61,080 | $37,910 | +$23,170 | ||
| Maine | $71,610 | $59,970 | +$11,640 | ||
| Maryland | $76,440 | $59,530 | +$16,910 | ||
| Massachusetts | $76,440 | $59,890 | +$16,550 | ||
| Michigan | $67,600 | $61,690 | +$5,910 | ||
| Minnesota | $73,970 | $58,780 | +$15,190 | ||
| Mississippi | $62,250 | $46,990 | +$15,260 | ||
| Missouri | $59,870 | $56,910 | +$2,960 | ||
| Montana | $57,090 | $59,000 | $-1,910 | ||
| Nebraska | $62,420 | $63,770 | $-1,350 | ||
| Nevada | $78,470 | $57,210 | +$21,260 | ||
| New Hampshire | $78,260 | $54,840 | +$23,420 | ||
| New Jersey | $82,690 | $62,820 | +$19,870 | ||
| New Mexico | $65,930 | $74,100 | $-8,170 | ||
| New York | $73,070 | $59,450 | +$13,620 | ||
| North Carolina | $63,280 | $55,490 | +$7,790 | ||
| North Dakota | $62,860 | $68,630 | $-5,770 | ||
| Ohio | $63,610 | $58,360 | +$5,250 | ||
| Oklahoma | $56,120 | $59,350 | $-3,230 | ||
| Oregon | $84,350 | $74,590 | +$9,760 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $61,900 | $52,010 | +$9,890 | ||
| Rhode Island | $75,390 | $65,120 | +$10,270 | ||
| South Carolina | $60,840 | $52,370 | +$8,470 | ||
| South Dakota | $57,510 | $53,650 | +$3,860 | ||
| Tennessee | $61,240 | $49,580 | +$11,660 | ||
| Texas | $69,990 | $62,630 | +$7,360 | ||
| Utah | $78,150 | $63,890 | +$14,260 | ||
| Vermont | $81,140 | $61,810 | +$19,330 | ||
| Virginia | $66,550 | $59,880 | +$6,670 | ||
| Washington | $78,570 | $68,910 | +$9,660 | ||
| West Virginia | $60,140 | $49,430 | +$10,710 | ||
| Wisconsin | $66,910 | $62,220 | +$4,690 | ||
| Wyoming | $62,260 | $62,980 | $-720 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Healthcare Social 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: 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 $9,222 (15.5%) based on 2025 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 $68,608 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: 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 187,650 Healthcare Social Workers positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
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.
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