Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in U.S.
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in U.S. is $60,060/year ($28.88/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $104K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $60K get you in U.S.?
About mental health and substance abuse social workers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $60K.Top earners bring in $104K or more - a $65K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $80K | +34% | 14,180 |
| Connecticut | $79K | +31% | 1,350 |
| Minnesota | $77K | +28% | 3,430 |
| California | $75K | +25% | 18,020 |
| District of Columbia | $73K | +21% | 640 |
| Oregon | $72K | +20% | 2,160 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +17% | 3,140 |
| Hawaii | $70K | +17% | 410 |
| Vermont | $70K | +16% | 370 |
| Washington | $69K | +15% | 3,490 |
| Maine | $68K | +13% | 1,120 |
| New Mexico | $66K | +9% | 620 |
| Massachusetts | $65K | +8% | 6,790 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | +6% | 460 |
| Virginia | $64K | +6% | 3,130 |
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in U.S.?
The median is $60,060 a year - that works out to about $28.88 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,620, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $104,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $60K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,191/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 33.7% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a mental health and substance abuse social workers salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $60,060 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mental health and substance abuse social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.