Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs. Social and Human Service Assistants: Who Earns More?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers out-earn Social and Human Service Assistants by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers land at $60,280 and Social and Human Service Assistants at $45,930. The education gap is real: mental health and substance abuse social worker programs typically require master's degree, while social and human service assistant programs require master's degree. Top-paying state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is New York ($79,380); for Social and Human Service Assistants it's District of Columbia ($59,460).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Social and Human Service Assistants?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn more nationally. The median is $60,280 for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers versus $45,930 for Social and Human Service Assistants, a difference of $14K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Social and Human Service Assistants?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers has the better 10-year outlook at 9.7% projected growth, compared to 6.4% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers or Social and Human Service Assistants?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers typically requires master's degree. Social and Human Service Assistants requires master's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers at $79,380/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs. Social and Human Service Assistants pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In New York, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn $79,380 vs. $47,190 for Social and Human Service Assistants. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.