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.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
SOC: 21-1023 O*NET: 21-1023.00
Median Salary
$60,060
per year
Job Growth
🚀 9.7%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.5
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
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.
What does a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$39,620
10th percentile
Early Career
$46,550
25th percentile
Median
$60,060
50th percentile
Experienced
$78,980
75th percentile
Top Earners
$104,130
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$39,620
25th
$46,550
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$60,060
Mean: $68,290
75th
$78,980
90th
$104,130
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $64,510 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $46,550 and $78,980
- •Salary spread is 54.0% around the median, showing high variation
- •Total national employment: 125,910 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:136,800
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services38.4%
Outpatient Care Centers20.9%
Outpatient Mental Health and Substance Abuse Centers18.2%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+9.7%
Annual Openings:13,500
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)136,800
Current
2034 (Projected)150,100
+9.7%
+13,300
Employment Change
+9.7%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
California
18,020 jobs$75,3201.22x
New York
14,180 jobs$80,2301.82x
Ohio
6,870 jobs$46,3301.52x
Massachusetts
6,790 jobs$64,9602.28x
Florida
6,260 jobs$50,8600.78x
Texas
5,810 jobs$44,7900.51x
Michigan
5,130 jobs$60,0001.43x
Pennsylvania
4,150 jobs$49,5900.84x
Arizona
3,610 jobs$46,6501.38x
Washington
3,490 jobs$69,0601.21x
Minnesota
3,430 jobs$77,1001.44x
New Jersey
3,140 jobs$70,4200.90x
Virginia
3,130 jobs$63,5300.94x
North Carolina
2,700 jobs$56,7300.67x
Missouri
2,530 jobs$46,2501.06x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Speaking
86%
#4
Reading Comprehension
80%
#5
Critical Thinking
74%
#6
Monitoring
66%
#7
Complex Problem Solving
60%
#8
Coordination
54%
#9
Service Orientation
46%
#10
Learning Strategies
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Speaking
intermediate4.3
86%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.0
80%
Critical Thinking
intermediate3.7
74%
Monitoring
intermediate3.3
66%
Complex Problem Solving
advanced3.0
60%
Coordination
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance86%
skills
4.3/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Monitoring
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance60%
abilities
3.0/5.0
Coordination
basicImportance54%
skills
2.7/5.0
Service Orientation
basicImportance46%
skills
2.3/5.0
Learning Strategies
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Midwives82%
5 shared skills
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers82%
5 shared skills
Occupational Therapy Aides82%
5 shared skills
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education82%
5 shared skills
Respiratory Therapists82%
5 shared skills
Surgical Assistants82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
Learn on the Job:
- →Monitoring
- →Coordination
- →Complex Problem Solving
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Speaking
- ✓Reading Comprehension
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Speaking
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Adobe Acrobat
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft SharePoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Adobe Acrobat
Microsoft SharePoint
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
HIGH
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet high physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
13
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Planning & Development (5)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Management & Supervision (1)Training & Development (1)
1
Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development97% perform98%
3
Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities91% perform94%
5
Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development82% perform88%
8
Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision79% perform86%
9
Develop or advise on social policy or assist in community development.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Planning & Development76% perform84%
10
Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •54% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value achievement
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.95
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.70
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.62
Stress Tolerance
CriticalStress Tolerance
Importance Level4.56
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.55
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.47
Complete Work Styles Profile
Concern for Others
5.0
Integrity
4.7
Self-Control
4.6
Stress Tolerance
4.6
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.5
Dependability
4.5
Social Orientation
4.4
Cooperation
4.3
Initiative
4.2
Attention to Detail
4.2
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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