Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals dealing with mental, emotional, or addiction problems involving alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. They work in hospitals, clinics, community centers, private practice, and correctional facilities, providing therapy, crisis intervention, case management, and prevention education to help clients stabilize and improve their lives.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against mental health and substance abuse social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
A day in the work
A typical week involves conducting individual and group therapy sessions, meeting with clients to assess their needs and progress, and documenting case notes. Social workers may respond to crisis situations, coordinate services with other providers, advocate for clients' access to housing or benefits, and lead psychoeducational workshops on prevention. Administrative tasks and treatment planning meetings also occupy regular time.
Who this work suits
Holland code SIC. Social work is helping, teaching and working closely with people. Aptly’s interest assessment scores you on the same six scales.
You likely enjoy working directly with people to understand their problems and guide them toward solutions—a social interest. You're also naturally curious and comfortable investigating underlying causes of behavior and circumstances, an investigative trait. Strong listening skills, patience with complex situations, and commitment to helping vulnerable populations are essential.
What it takes
Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most people in this occupation hold a master’s degree.
Skills that matter most
Knowledge areas
Who is hiring
Openings right now
- Mental Health Therapist - 1099 Contractor - Oxford, MS · Lyra Health · Oxford, Mississippi
- District of Columbia (DC) Remote Mental Health Licensed Therapist, 1099 Contractor · Headspace · USA · Remote
- Registered Nurse - Mental Health (1 West) · Veterans Health Administration · Tucson, Arizona · $87530–$158422
- Registered Nurse- Outpatient Mental Health (Nashville) · Veterans Health Administration · Nashville, Tennessee · $81958–$141398
- Inpatient Mental Health Registered Nurse · Veterans Health Administration · Muskogee, Oklahoma · $82817–$149876
- Registered Nurse- Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) · Veterans Health Administration · Newington, Connecticut · $85600–$146414
- Nursing Assistant- Mental Health · Veterans Health Administration · Phoenix, Arizona · $44610–$70347
- Registered Nurse-Inpatient Mental Health Nurse · Veterans Health Administration · Jackson, Mississippi · $79711–$147603
Openings are read from employers’ own career pages and public job boards and change daily. Search all openings (free account) to filter by distance, pay and how well you qualify.
Pay by state
| State | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $64,430 | $79,380 | $95,520 | 14,820 |
| California | $57,800 | $79,000 | $118,860 | 19,860 |
| Connecticut | $62,300 | $78,640 | $92,430 | 1,540 |
| Minnesota | $60,080 | $75,020 | $85,990 | 3,590 |
| Maryland | $49,440 | $73,580 | $94,690 | 2,250 |
| District of Columbia | $65,360 | $73,310 | $104,170 | 510 |
| Vermont | $65,050 | $73,210 | $81,890 | 320 |
| Washington | $56,050 | $70,460 | $84,500 | 3,490 |
| Oregon | $58,250 | $68,210 | $83,740 | 2,230 |
| New Jersey | $47,610 | $66,590 | $84,700 | 2,420 |
| New Mexico | $44,860 | $65,640 | $86,150 | 800 |
| Colorado | $55,770 | $65,620 | $80,990 | 1,640 |
All 50 states, D.C. and Puerto Rico
Certifications people in this field hold
- Certified Social Worker in Health Care (C-SWHC) — National Association of Social Workers
- Bachelors Social Work Licensing Examination — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Clinical Social Work Licensing Examination — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Certified Social Work Case Manager (C-SWCM) — National Association of Social Workers
- Masters Social Work Licensing Examination — Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB)
- Board Certified Diplomate in Clinical Social Work (BCD) — American Board of Examiners in Clinical Social Work
Training
Aptly members see WIOA-approved programs, colleges and certificates near them, with completion and earnings data, on every Path plan.
Job titles in this occupation
Related occupations
Four short assessments and your background, scored against mental health and substance abuse social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 21-1023.00 · O*NET OnLine. Pay: BLS OEWS May 2025, annual, U.S. Employment counts are national.