Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker Salary
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn a median $60,280 a year nationally. Community and Social Service Occupations
What mental health and substance abuse social workers do
Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
- Typical education
- Master's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Internship/residency
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.3% (much faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 12,500
- Self-employed
- 2%
Employment of mental health and substance abuse social workers is projected to grow 10.3% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 12,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$5,054
- Social Security (6.2%)$3,737
- Medicare (1.45%)$874
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$50,615
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,740 | $19.11 | $34,111 |
| 25th percentile | $47,070 | $22.63 | $40,001 |
| Median (50th) | $60,280 | $28.98 | $50,615 |
| 75th percentile | $79,730 | $38.33 | $64,920 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,170 | $50.08 | $82,114 |
Best cities for mental health and substance abuse social workers (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $82,450 | $62,978 | $55,949 | 12,090 |
| 2 | Minneapolis, MN | $75,020 | $58,029 | $55,359 | 2,500 |
| 3 | Los Angeles, CA | $78,410 | $59,910 | $52,753 | 9,380 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $63,830 | $50,496 | $46,641 | 4,660 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $57,720 | $45,846 | $44,255 | 2,450 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $47,390 | $40,258 | $39,051 | 2,720 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $46,340 | $38,464 | $37,230 | 2,870 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- New York, NY — $82,450
- Los Angeles, CA — $78,410
- Minneapolis, MN — $75,020
- Boston, MA — $63,830
- Chicago, IL — $57,720
- Dallas, TX — $47,390
- Phoenix, AZ — $46,340
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $79,380 | −1.1% | $60,984 | $54,650 – $122,340 | 14,820 |
| California | $79,000 | +4.9% | $60,262 | $46,450 – $147,300 | 19,860 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 | −0.2% | $61,403 | $49,260 – $108,530 | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 | −2.7% | $58,029 | $50,950 – $98,520 | 3,590 |
| Maryland | $73,580 | +20.4% | $57,462 | $38,100 – $104,000 | 2,250 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 | +0.8% | $57,085 | $57,940 – $115,500 | 510 |
| Vermont | $73,210 | +5.3% | $57,962 | $61,510 – $100,140 | 320 |
| Washington | $70,460 | +2.0% | $58,399 | $46,790 – $102,680 | 3,490 |
| Oregon | $68,210 | −5.0% | $51,677 | $50,280 – $100,680 | 2,230 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 | −5.4% | $53,545 | $45,180 – $102,130 | 2,420 |
| New Mexico | $65,640 | +0.1% | $53,002 | $36,700 – $114,170 | 800 |
| Colorado | $65,620 | +0.8% | $52,727 | $47,100 – $95,950 | 1,640 |
| Virginia | $64,240 | +1.1% | $50,917 | $48,530 – $102,480 | 3,670 |
| New Hampshire | $63,900 | +0.1% | $53,524 | $49,140 – $123,560 | 320 |
| Nevada | $62,900 | +26.2% | $52,720 | $37,930 – $98,010 | 1,100 |
| Massachusetts | $62,500 | −3.8% | $49,494 | $48,260 – $100,670 | 7,440 |
| Wisconsin | $61,860 | +7.4% | $49,944 | $45,430 – $87,690 | 1,880 |
| Rhode Island | $60,990 | +0.8% | $49,515 | $42,900 – $135,200 | 800 |
| North Dakota | $60,980 | −1.1% | $51,177 | $44,050 – $75,840 | 240 |
| Michigan | $60,830 | +1.4% | $48,722 | $42,150 – $82,750 | 4,620 |
| Delaware | $60,060 | +4.2% | $47,782 | $47,550 – $81,210 | 510 |
| Wyoming | $59,310 | +40.5% | $49,836 | $39,650 – $118,900 | 200 |
| Arkansas | $58,590 | +17.6% | $47,185 | $39,440 – $99,070 | 1,040 |
| North Carolina | $58,210 | +2.6% | $47,138 | $38,970 – $79,720 | 3,690 |
| Maine | $57,050 | −15.9% | $45,350 | $45,870 – $96,370 | 1,860 |
| Alaska | $56,710 | −1.6% | $47,746 | $46,250 – $85,670 | 250 |
| Kansas | $56,330 | +0.4% | $45,098 | $47,750 – $79,650 | 1,620 |
| Hawaii | $54,390 | −22.7% | $43,279 | $45,790 – $90,870 | — |
| Idaho | $52,520 | +3.2% | $42,705 | $40,940 – $92,770 | 510 |
| Georgia | $52,030 | +2.4% | $41,909 | $32,990 – $83,500 | 1,330 |
| Florida | $51,590 | +1.4% | $43,633 | $38,180 – $77,610 | 5,150 |
| Utah | $50,770 | — | $41,655 | $37,980 – $101,350 | 1,240 |
| West Virginia | $50,070 | +4.7% | $40,887 | $38,410 – $70,190 | 420 |
| Illinois | $49,960 | −14.0% | $39,995 | $39,910 – $79,050 | 3,460 |
| Missouri | $49,560 | +7.2% | $40,609 | $38,610 – $72,800 | 1,640 |
| Mississippi | $48,970 | +0.3% | $40,301 | $25,880 – $78,920 | 920 |
| South Dakota | $48,920 | −1.3% | $41,487 | $39,230 – $73,610 | 230 |
| Iowa | $48,530 | −3.6% | $39,982 | $37,980 – $80,760 | 1,200 |
| Indiana | $48,300 | −11.2% | $39,594 | $36,290 – $77,780 | 2,490 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 | −2.6% | $39,499 | $37,790 – $73,940 | 3,500 |
| Louisiana | $47,100 | +6.9% | $38,998 | $31,890 – $72,440 | 970 |
| Texas | $46,630 | +4.1% | $39,647 | $36,870 – $79,210 | 8,220 |
| Tennessee | $46,500 | −4.6% | $39,543 | $38,320 – $68,430 | 2,220 |
| Arizona | $46,380 | −0.6% | $38,496 | $40,810 – $64,350 | 3,690 |
| Ohio | $46,080 | −0.5% | $38,720 | $34,700 – $75,610 | 6,050 |
| Montana | $45,160 | +2.9% | $37,100 | $37,960 – $82,390 | 740 |
| Nebraska | $43,240 | −4.2% | $35,835 | $35,760 – $59,160 | 900 |
| Oklahoma | $43,120 | −0.2% | $35,432 | $35,780 – $52,930 | 1,780 |
| Kentucky | $42,570 | −6.3% | $35,013 | $33,880 – $63,960 | 1,360 |
| Alabama | $41,500 | −1.4% | $33,715 | $29,370 – $64,750 | 740 |
| South Carolina | $39,930 | −4.4% | $33,025 | $30,250 – $63,970 | 720 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $59,550 | Bachelor's degree | +4.4% |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $67,880 | Master's degree | +8.5% |
| Social Workers, All Other | $71,900 | Bachelor's degree | +2.3% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $59,350 | Master's degree | +18.4% |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | Bachelor's degree | +5.5% |
| Health Education Specialist | $64,070 | Bachelor's degree | +5.6% |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $64,330 | Master's degree | +2.9% |
| Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist | $66,270 | Bachelor's degree | +3.0% |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $66,940 | Master's degree | +13.5% |
| Community Health Worker | $51,850 | High school diploma or equivalent | +12.7% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make?
The national median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers is $60,280 a year ($28.98 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,740 and the top 10% earn over $104,170. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
New York has the highest median pay at $79,380. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers are there in the U.S.?
About 132,810 people work as mental health and substance abuse social workers nationwide.