How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make?
Median yearly pay in the United States: half earn more and half earn less. That is $28.98 an hour or $5,023 a month.
- Hourly
- $28.98
- Average (mean)
- $68,030
- Jobs
- 132,810
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,740 | $19.11 | |
| 25th | $47,070 | $22.63 | |
| Median | $60,280 | $28.98 | |
| 75th | $79,730 | $38.33 | |
| 90th | $104,200 | $50.08 |
By state
Median yearly pay.
| New York | $79,380 |
| California | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 |
| Maryland | $73,580 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 |
| Vermont | $73,210 |
| Washington | $70,460 |
| Oregon | $68,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 |
| New Mexico | $65,640 |
| Colorado | $65,620 |
| Virginia | $64,240 |
| New Hampshire | $63,900 |
| Nevada | $62,900 |
| Massachusetts | $62,500 |
| Wisconsin | $61,860 |
| Rhode Island | $60,990 |
| North Dakota | $60,980 |
| Michigan | $60,830 |
| Delaware | $60,060 |
| Wyoming | $59,310 |
| Arkansas | $58,590 |
| North Carolina | $58,210 |
| Maine | $57,050 |
| Alaska | $56,710 |
| Kansas | $56,330 |
| Hawaii | $54,390 |
| Idaho | $52,520 |
| Georgia | $52,030 |
| Florida | $51,590 |
| Utah | $50,770 |
| West Virginia | $50,070 |
| Illinois | $49,960 |
| Missouri | $49,560 |
| Mississippi | $48,970 |
| South Dakota | $48,920 |
| Iowa | $48,530 |
| Indiana | $48,300 |
| Pennsylvania | $48,290 |
| Louisiana | $47,100 |
| Texas | $46,630 |
| Tennessee | $46,500 |
| Arizona | $46,380 |
| Ohio | $46,080 |
| Montana | $45,160 |
| Nebraska | $43,240 |
| Oklahoma | $43,120 |
| Kentucky | $42,570 |
| Alabama | $41,500 |
| South Carolina | $39,930 |
Highest paying cities
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Vallejo, CA | $122,900 |
| Cheyenne, WY | $118,900 |
| San Jose, CA | $109,100 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $98,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $97,200 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $96,420 |
| Hanford, CA | $91,730 |
| San Francisco, CA | $87,550 |
| Riverside, CA | $87,370 |
| Boulder, CO | $84,450 |
| Norwich, CT | $84,260 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $84,190 |
| Mankato, MN | $83,530 |
| Sacramento, CA | $83,150 |
| New York, NY | $82,450 |
In other countries
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker belongs to the international group "Social work and counselling professionals".
Compare pay in 140 countriesSimilar jobs
- Educational$64,330
- Marriage and Family Therapist$66,940
- Rehabilitation Counselor$46,850
- Substance Abuse$59,350
- Counselor$50,860
- Child$59,550
- Healthcare Social Worker$67,880
- Social Worker$71,900
- Health Education Specialist$64,070
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$66,270
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make an hour?
The median hourly pay is $28.98 ($60,280 a year).
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make a month?
About $5,023 a month before tax, based on a median of $60,280 a year.
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social worker make starting out?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,740 or less a year ($19.11 an hour); the top 10% make $104,200 or more.
Which state pays mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
New York, with a median of $79,380 a year, followed by California ($79,000) and Connecticut ($78,640).
Which city pays mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
Vallejo, CA, with a median of $122,900 a year.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers are there in the United States?
About 132,810 people work as mental health and substance abuse social workers.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.