Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors vs. Child, Family, and School Social Workers: Who Earns More?
Child, Family, and School Social Workerss out-earn Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss by $200 a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss land at $59,350 and Child, Family, and School Social Workerss at $59,550. The education gap is real: substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor programs typically require master's degree, while child, family, and school social worker programs require bachelor's degree. Top-paying state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss is Alaska ($80,770); for Child, Family, and School Social Workerss it's Connecticut ($78,970).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss or Child, Family, and School Social Workerss?
Child, Family, and School Social Workerss earn more nationally. The median is $59,350 for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss versus $59,550 for Child, Family, and School Social Workerss, a difference of $200. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors or Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
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, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors or Child, Family, and School Social Workers?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors typically requires master's degree. Child, Family, and School Social Workers requires bachelor's degree. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss get paid the most?
Alaska is the top-paying state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss at $80,770/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors vs. Child, Family, and School Social Workers pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Oregon, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorss earn $74,590 vs. $64,130 for Child, Family, and School Social Workerss. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.