Substance Use Social Worker: Career and Salary Overview
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Substance use social workers help clients overcome addictions to alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs or substances. They provide coping strategies and other evidence-based interventions to individuals and groups.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a much faster-than-average job growth rate for these mental health professionals between 2023 and 2033. Learn how much substance use social workers earn, including top-paying states and specializations.
Popular Online MSW Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
How Much Does a Substance Use Social Worker Make?
Substance use social workers earn an average salary of $63,870, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% earn $37,150, while the top 90% earn $100,090.
Factors such as education, experience, and location impact a social worker’s earnings. For example, metropolitan areas tend to pay higher salaries than rural areas. But the higher costs of living in metro areas can reduce your purchasing power compared to non-metro areas with lower costs of living.
Substance Use Social Worker Salary Overview
| Percentile | Annual Average Salary |
|---|---|
| 10% | $37,150 |
| 25% | $43,750 |
| 50% | $55,960 |
| 75% | $74,810 |
| 90% | $100,090 |
$30.71
Median Hourly Wage
7%
Job Growth
114,680
Total Employment
Highest Paying Areas for Substance Use Social Workers
California claims several top spots for the highest-paying metropolitan areas for substance use social workers.
| Metropolitan Area | Annual Average Salary |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $101,540 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $99,890 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $98,480 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $96,720 |
| Madera, CA | $93,750 |
Jobs Similar to Substance Use Social Worker
The social work profession offers several specializations. Explore similar career options to substance use social workers.
Social Worker
Social workers play a key role in helping clients manage emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges. They offer counseling, support, and other interventions in various settings, such as healthcare facilities and governmental agencies.
- Average Salary:$68,800
- Job Growth Rate: 7%
Healthcare Social Worker
Healthcare social workers help individuals, families, and groups cope with acute, chronic and terminal illnesses. They provide support and services such as information and counseling, referral services, and interventions to promote health and wellness.
- Average Salary:$67,430
- Job Growth Rate: 10%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
Child, family, and school social workers specialize in supporting the social and psychological well-being of children and their families. They explore ways to help children academically succeed and address mental health challenges and social issues impacting their well-being.
- Average Salary:$59,190
- Job Growth Rate: 5%
Substance Use, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors
These counselors provide support and treatment to clients dealing with addictions and other challenges such as depression, anxiety, and eating disorders. They offer interventions such as therapy and counseling in private practice and in various other settings.
- Average Salary:$53,710
- Job Growth Rate: 19%
Substance Use Social Worker Benefits
Social workers assess clients’ needs and provide interventions such as individual and group therapy, family counseling, and referrals to community resources. This profession suits those eager to help others overcome life’s challenges.
The BLS projects a shortage of approximately 67,000 social workers each year between 2023 and 2033. Demand is highest for mental health and substance use social workers as individuals seek to address various conditions.
The social work field offers a strong job market and various specializations. Plus, you get to make a difference in many people’s lives.
Factors That Impact Substance Use Social Worker Salary
Education
Earning a bachelor’s degree is the first step toward a social work career. Most entry-level social work positions require a bachelor of social work (BSW) accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) or a related degree in psychology or sociology.
A CSWE-accredited BSW includes 400 hours of supervised field experience that prepares social workers for generalist practice. Graduates qualify to assess client needs, refer them to services, and monitor their progress
A master of social work (MSW) is required for more advanced social work roles and clinical practice. Many MSW programs offer advanced standing enrollment options for students with a BSW, allowing them to complete the two-year curriculum in just one year. All MSW enrollees get at least 900 hours of supervised field experience.
Some MSW programs offer specializations such as addiction counseling, clinical social work, and/or medical/health social work. Graduates may qualify to perform clinical assessments, provide interventions, assume supervisory roles, and manage large caseloads.
Some social workers pursue a doctorate to advance their knowledge and careers. Those planning to continue on as practitioners choose a doctor of social work (DSW). The doctor of philosophy, or Ph.D., is typically sought by those interested in academic or research careers.
Licensure and Certification
Each state and the District of Columbia sets licensure and certification requirements for social workers. Candidates must meet education, fieldwork, and exam requirements based on their level of social work practice.
Once social workers complete their education and practicum, they must apply for a license and pass the appropriate licensing exam. Common licenses include licensed baccalaureate social worker, licensed master social worker, and licensed clinical social worker.
The licensing process ensures that each social worker is qualified to competently provide services to the community and streamlines the credential verification process.
Clinical social work is the highest level of licensure for social workers. Licensed clinical social workers specialize in providing care to clients with mental health and substance use challenges. In addition to an MSW, clinical social workers complete at least 3,000 hours of postgraduate supervised experience that includes face-to-face client contact.
Licensure candidates must pass the clinical level of the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) exam or the equivalent accepted by their licensing board. The ASWB website provides detailed licensure information for each state and the District of Columbia.
Experience
A substance use social worker’s level of experience impacts their marketability, career options, and salary. According to Payscale, the average annual salary for social workers was $55,731 as of December 2024.
Social workers with less than a year of experience can expect an average compensation of $48,600, which includes overtime pay and other factors. Those with 1-4 years of experience earn an average compensation of $51,852, while social workers with 5-9 years of experience earn about $58,790.
The highest earners have about 10-19 years of social work experience and make about $62,608. However, a social worker’s education level and specialty also impact earnings.
Cost of Living
The top five highest-paying states for substance use social workers span both coasts. New York comes in first with an average annual salary of $92,470, followed by California at $81,330 and Connecticut at $77,930. Rounding out the top five jurisdictions are the District of Columbia with a salary of $77,600 and New Jersey at $76,690.
An important factor to consider is the cost of living compared to earnings. Although New York State pays very well, it also has the nation’s fifth-highest cost of living index. A substance use social worker in New York State pays housing costs about 1.5 times the national average.
The other states on this list also rank high in how much you’ll pay for accommodation, food, transportation, and other expenses. The cost of living in California is the nation’s fourth-highest, followed by Massachusetts with the third-highest, and the District of Columbia with the second-highest. Hawaii takes the top spot. New Jersey has the 12th highest cost of living, including Hawaii and the District of Columbia.
Substance use social workers must also factor in license renewal fees, continuing education costs, and other expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions About Substance Use Social Worker Salary
Substance use social workers earned an average salary of $63,870. Factors that influence salary include education, experience, and location.
