Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers vs. Social and Human Service Assistants: Who Earns More?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss out-earn Social and Human Service Assistantss by $14K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss land at $60,280 and Social and Human Service Assistantss 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 Workerss is New York ($79,380); for Social and Human Service Assistantss 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 Workerss or Social and Human Service Assistantss?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $60,280 for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss versus $45,930 for Social and Human Service Assistantss, 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?
BLS Employment Projections data is not available for one or both occupations. Check the individual career pages for current outlook figures.
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 Workerss get paid the most?
New York is the top-paying state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss 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 Workerss earn $79,380 vs. $47,190 for Social and Human Service Assistantss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.