Aptly
Careers · Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers · Iowa

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Iowa

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 Iowa the median pay is $48,530 a year, 19% below the national median of $60,280.

$48,530median pay in Iowa, per year
$44,630–$66,180middle half earn
1,200employed in Iowa
$60,280U.S. median, for comparison
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

Who is hiring in Iowa

420open roles like this on employer career sites, 29 in Iowa or remote
9employers hiring
87posted in the last 7 days
CA · IL · Remotewhere most openings are

Openings in Iowa 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 Iowa

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 · $73,580District of Columbia · $73,310Vermont · $73,210Washington · $70,460Oregon · $68,210New Jersey · $66,590

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, Iowa, annual.