National Salary Overview
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
VS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns $9,012 more (18.7%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$57,161
$48,149
Average (Mean) Salary
$62,053
$52,665
Total Employment
132,190
94,210
States with Higher Pay
37
14
Salary by State: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 37 states; Rehabilitation Counselors pays more in 14.
| State | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Rehabilitation Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,500 | $54,040 | $-12,540 | ||
| Alaska | $56,710 | $61,590 | $-4,880 | ||
| Arizona | $46,380 | $48,330 | $-1,950 | ||
| Arkansas | $58,590 | $35,210 | +$23,380 | ||
| California | $79,000 | $44,480 | +$34,520 | ||
| Colorado | $65,620 | $47,840 | +$17,780 | ||
| Connecticut | $78,640 | $56,340 | +$22,300 | ||
| Delaware | $60,060 | $48,840 | +$11,220 | ||
| District of Columbia | $73,310 | $49,680 | +$23,630 | ||
| Florida | $51,590 | $45,990 | +$5,600 | ||
| Georgia | $52,030 | $55,000 | $-2,970 | ||
| Hawaii | $54,390 | $48,720 | +$5,670 | ||
| Idaho | $52,520 | $54,550 | $-2,030 | ||
| Illinois | $49,960 | $49,350 | +$610 | ||
| Indiana | $48,300 | $44,390 | +$3,910 | ||
| Iowa | $48,530 | $39,630 | +$8,900 | ||
| Kansas | $56,330 | $41,980 | +$14,350 | ||
| Kentucky | $42,570 | $58,540 | $-15,970 | ||
| Louisiana | $47,100 | $47,990 | $-890 | ||
| Maine | $57,050 | $51,150 | +$5,900 | ||
| Maryland | $73,580 | $40,860 | +$32,720 | ||
| Massachusetts | $62,500 | $47,320 | +$15,180 | ||
| Michigan | $60,830 | $44,580 | +$16,250 | ||
| Minnesota | $75,020 | $48,010 | +$27,010 | ||
| Mississippi | $48,970 | $41,500 | +$7,470 | ||
| Missouri | $49,560 | $45,180 | +$4,380 | ||
| Montana | $45,160 | $45,240 | $-80 | ||
| Nebraska | $43,240 | $47,050 | $-3,810 | ||
| Nevada | $62,900 | $40,120 | +$22,780 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,900 | $42,600 | +$21,300 | ||
| New Jersey | $66,590 | $49,730 | +$16,860 | ||
| New Mexico | $65,640 | $48,240 | +$17,400 | ||
| New York | $79,380 | $47,960 | +$31,420 | ||
| North Carolina | $58,210 | $45,890 | +$12,320 | ||
| North Dakota | $60,980 | $63,050 | $-2,070 | ||
| Ohio | $46,080 | $42,620 | +$3,460 | ||
| Oklahoma | $43,120 | $38,260 | +$4,860 | ||
| Oregon | $68,210 | $54,970 | +$13,240 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 | $48,650 | $-360 | ||
| Rhode Island | $60,990 | $47,020 | +$13,970 | ||
| South Carolina | $39,930 | $35,990 | +$3,940 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,920 | $49,350 | $-430 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,500 | $46,060 | +$440 | ||
| Texas | $46,630 | $49,990 | $-3,360 | ||
| Utah | $50,770 | $43,900 | +$6,870 | ||
| Vermont | $73,210 | $50,030 | +$23,180 | ||
| Virginia | $64,240 | $47,530 | +$16,710 | ||
| Washington | $70,460 | $58,050 | +$12,410 | ||
| West Virginia | $50,070 | $48,050 | +$2,020 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,860 | $46,530 | +$15,330 | ||
| Wyoming | $59,310 | $67,640 | $-8,330 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors salaries differ in each state, with local data and national benchmarks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes more: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
On average across all states, a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns more than a Rehabilitation Counselors. The national median salary difference is $9,012 (18.7%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn more than a Rehabilitation Counselors?
A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Rehabilitation Counselors in 37 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Rehabilitation Counselors pays more in 14 states.
What is the median salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs Rehabilitation Counselors?
The national median salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is $57,161 per year, compared to $48,149 for a Rehabilitation Counselors, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Which has more jobs: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
There are more people employed as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. BLS reports approximately 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions and 94,210 Rehabilitation Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Rehabilitation Counselors?
Both Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers and Rehabilitation 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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