National Salary Overview
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Median Salary
$57,161
Average (Mean)
$62,053
Employed Nationwide
132,190
VS
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Median Salary
$59,385
Average (Mean)
$63,880
Employed Nationwide
487,020
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earns $2,223 more (3.9%)
Key Metrics Compared
Median Salary
$57,161
$59,385
Average (Mean) Salary
$62,053
$63,880
Total Employment
132,190
487,020
States with Higher Pay
20
31
Salary by State: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
Showing 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pays more in 20 states; Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 31.
| State | Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | Difference | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,500 | $47,310 | $-5,810 | ||
| Alaska | $56,710 | $80,770 | $-24,060 | ||
| Arizona | $46,380 | $65,300 | $-18,920 | ||
| Arkansas | $58,590 | $51,580 | +$7,010 | ||
| California | $79,000 | $59,250 | +$19,750 | ||
| Colorado | $65,620 | $62,390 | +$3,230 | ||
| Connecticut | $78,640 | $63,590 | +$15,050 | ||
| Delaware | $60,060 | $56,020 | +$4,040 | ||
| District of Columbia | $73,310 | $60,450 | +$12,860 | ||
| Florida | $51,590 | $56,790 | $-5,200 | ||
| Georgia | $52,030 | $58,960 | $-6,930 | ||
| Hawaii | $54,390 | $60,090 | $-5,700 | ||
| Idaho | $52,520 | $63,360 | $-10,840 | ||
| Illinois | $49,960 | $60,730 | $-10,770 | ||
| Indiana | $48,300 | $53,760 | $-5,460 | ||
| Iowa | $48,530 | $60,880 | $-12,350 | ||
| Kansas | $56,330 | $59,470 | $-3,140 | ||
| Kentucky | $42,570 | $54,190 | $-11,620 | ||
| Louisiana | $47,100 | $37,910 | +$9,190 | ||
| Maine | $57,050 | $59,970 | $-2,920 | ||
| Maryland | $73,580 | $59,530 | +$14,050 | ||
| Massachusetts | $62,500 | $59,890 | +$2,610 | ||
| Michigan | $60,830 | $61,690 | $-860 | ||
| Minnesota | $75,020 | $58,780 | +$16,240 | ||
| Mississippi | $48,970 | $46,990 | +$1,980 | ||
| Missouri | $49,560 | $56,910 | $-7,350 | ||
| Montana | $45,160 | $59,000 | $-13,840 | ||
| Nebraska | $43,240 | $63,770 | $-20,530 | ||
| Nevada | $62,900 | $57,210 | +$5,690 | ||
| New Hampshire | $63,900 | $54,840 | +$9,060 | ||
| New Jersey | $66,590 | $62,820 | +$3,770 | ||
| New Mexico | $65,640 | $74,100 | $-8,460 | ||
| New York | $79,380 | $59,450 | +$19,930 | ||
| North Carolina | $58,210 | $55,490 | +$2,720 | ||
| North Dakota | $60,980 | $68,630 | $-7,650 | ||
| Ohio | $46,080 | $58,360 | $-12,280 | ||
| Oklahoma | $43,120 | $59,350 | $-16,230 | ||
| Oregon | $68,210 | $74,590 | $-6,380 | ||
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 | $52,010 | $-3,720 | ||
| Rhode Island | $60,990 | $65,120 | $-4,130 | ||
| South Carolina | $39,930 | $52,370 | $-12,440 | ||
| South Dakota | $48,920 | $53,650 | $-4,730 | ||
| Tennessee | $46,500 | $49,580 | $-3,080 | ||
| Texas | $46,630 | $62,630 | $-16,000 | ||
| Utah | $50,770 | $63,890 | $-13,120 | ||
| Vermont | $73,210 | $61,810 | +$11,400 | ||
| Virginia | $64,240 | $59,880 | +$4,360 | ||
| Washington | $70,460 | $68,910 | +$1,550 | ||
| West Virginia | $50,070 | $49,430 | +$640 | ||
| Wisconsin | $61,860 | $62,220 | $-360 | ||
| Wyoming | $59,310 | $62,980 | $-3,670 |
Explore This Comparison by State
Dive deeper — see how Mental Health and Substance Abuse 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: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
On average across all states, a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors earns more than a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers. The national median salary difference is $2,223 (3.9%) based on 2025 BLS data.
In how many states does a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn more than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
A Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earns a higher median salary than a Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in 20 out of 51 states where both occupations have BLS data. A Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pays more in 31 states.
What is the median salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
The national median salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is $57,161 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: Mental Health and Substance Abuse 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 132,190 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers positions and 487,020 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors positions nationwide (2025).
Should I become a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Both Mental Health and Substance Abuse 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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