Salary comparison

Healthcare Social Workers vs. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors: Salary Comparison (2026)

Healthcare Social Workerss earn a median salary of $68,090/year, while Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss earn $59,190/year - a difference of $8,900. Healthcare Social Workerss earn more on average. Both salaries are based on national BLS data.

Healthcare Social Workers

Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors

Median salary

$68,090

$59,190

Hourly rate

$32.74/hr

$28.46/hr

Entry level (10th %)

$45,030

$39,090

Senior level (90th %)

$100,870

$98,210

Education required

Varies

U.S. employment

185,940

440,380

Job growth (10-year)

N/A