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Careers · Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers · District of Columbia

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in District of Columbia

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. In District of Columbia the median pay is $73,310 a year, 22% above the national median of $60,280.

$73,310median pay in District of Columbia, per year
$65,360–$104,170middle half earn
510employed in District of Columbia
$60,280U.S. median, for comparison
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Who is hiring in District of Columbia

420open roles like this on employer career sites, 26 in District of Columbia or remote
9employers hiring
87posted in the last 7 days
CA · IL · Remotewhere most openings are

Openings in District of Columbia and remote

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.

What it takes

Preparation: Extensive preparation (graduate degree and/or many years of experience). Most hold a master’s degree.

Skills that matter most

Social PerceptivenessActive ListeningSpeakingReading ComprehensionCritical ThinkingMonitoringCoordinationService Orientation

Knowledge areas

Therapy and CounselingPsychologyEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceEducation and TrainingSociology and Anthropology

Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers.

Licenses and training in District of Columbia

Local training programsCertificationsLicenses in your stateApprenticeships

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in other states

New York · $79,380California · $79,000Connecticut · $78,640Minnesota · $75,020Maryland · $73,580Vermont · $73,210Washington · $70,460Oregon · $68,210New Jersey · $66,590New Mexico · $65,640

Related occupations

Child, Family, and School Social WorkersHealthcare Social WorkersSocial Workers, All OtherSubstance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder CounselorsEducational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMarriage and Family TherapistsMental Health CounselorsRehabilitation Counselors
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against mental health and substance abuse social workers and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Find out in 15 minutes See openings

O*NET-SOC 21-1023.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, District of Columbia, annual.