Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Who Earns More?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers out-earn Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors by $200 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Child, Family, and School Social Workers land at $59,550 and Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors at $59,350. The education gap is real: child, family, and school social worker programs typically require bachelor's degree, while substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Child, Family, and School Social Workers is Connecticut ($78,970); for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors it's Alaska ($80,770).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Child, Family, and School Social Workers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn more nationally. The median is $59,550 for Child, Family, and School Social Workers versus $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, a difference of $200. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors has the better 10-year outlook at 16.8% projected growth, compared to 3.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Child, Family, and School Social Workers or Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Child, Family, and School Social Workers typically requires bachelor's degree. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Child, Family, and School Social Workers get paid the most?
Connecticut is the top-paying state for Child, Family, and School Social Workers at $78,970/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Child, Family, and School Social Workers vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Connecticut, Child, Family, and School Social Workers earn $78,970 vs. $63,590 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.