What Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers this way: "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."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse"; "Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs"; "Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals"; "Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy"; "Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is master's degree. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is internship/residency.
Job outlook for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 138,900 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 153,200 in 2035, an increase of 14,300 jobs (+10.3%). That is faster than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 12,500 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.0% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $60,280, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $77,607 in New Jersey to $81,066 in California, a gap of $3,459 (1.04 times). 3 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $60,280 and 0 average at or below it.
California employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 19,320, which is 38.4% of the 50,360 counted across them. New York follows with 16,300.
Highest-paying states
California ($81,066), New York ($79,716) and New Jersey ($77,607) lead the ranking, while New Jersey ($77,607) and New York ($79,716) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 3 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Bergen County, NJ (New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ) at $32,167. The smallest margin is $21,740 in Kings County, NY.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 3 of the 3 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 37.6% and 52.3% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Healthcare Social Workers and Child, Family, and School Social Workers belong to the same detailed SOC group. Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (21-1000) include Marriage and Family Therapists, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors and Social and Human Service Assistants.
Frequently asked questions about Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
What is the national median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $60,280. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $77,607 to $81,066.
Which state pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers the most?
California, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $81,066. New York is next at $79,716.
What is the job outlook for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
BLS projects employment to grow by 10.3% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 12,500 openings a year.
What education do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers need?
The typical entry-level education is master's degree and internship/residency, according to BLS.
Where can Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Bergen County, NJ leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $32,167 on a median wage of $82,450.