SOC 211023

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

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.

National Median

$60,060

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$60,060

Entry Level (10th pct)

$39,620

Experienced (90th pct)

$104,130

Total Employed

125,910

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$39,620 - $46,550
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$46,550 - $78,980
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$78,980 - $104,130

Highest Paying Locations for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

$116,630

+94.2% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$102,760

+71.1% vs national

Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area

$101,100

+68.3% vs national

Vallejo, CA

$98,680

+64.3% vs national

Las Cruces, NM

$97,490

+62.3% vs national

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$116,630	120
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$102,760	900
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$101,100	40
Vallejo, CA	$98,680	100
Las Cruces, NM	$97,490	80
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$93,390	150
Hanford-Corcoran, CA	$89,500	70
Elmira, NY	$87,530	70
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$84,150	160
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$83,710	1,490
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$83,490	12,050
Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT	$82,440	130
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$80,490	230
New York	$80,230	14,180
Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY	$79,170	370
Connecticut	$78,820	1,350
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$78,820	470
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$78,660	1,630
Rochester, MN	$78,660	120
Southeast Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$78,480	120
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$77,830	160
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$77,600	2,310
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$77,540	2,420
Eastern Region of Texas nonmetropolitan area	$77,470	40
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$77,360	2,020
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$77,260	1,150
Salinas, CA	$77,150	110
Minnesota	$77,100	3,430
Mankato, MN	$77,010	50
Bellingham, WA	$76,180	60
Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area	$76,070	90
Central East New York nonmetropolitan area	$75,540	250
Oshkosh-Neenah, WI	$75,520	90
California	$75,320	18,020
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY	$75,200	580
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$74,890	8,430
San Angelo, TX	$74,730	50
Eastern Washington nonmetropolitan area	$74,410	60
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area	$74,400	30
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$73,950	1,210
Ithaca, NY	$73,620	70
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$73,510	250
Utica-Rome, NY	$73,290	220
Stockton-Lodi, CA	$73,150	150
Redding, CA	$73,110	80
Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY	$72,910	540
District of Columbia	$72,720	640
Salem, OR	$72,640	330
Springfield, IL	$72,420	50
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA	$72,360	110

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?

The national median annual salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers is $60,060, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss is San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA, with a median salary of $116,630.

How much can an experienced Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make?

Top-earning Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss (90th percentile) make $104,130 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.