Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary Trend (2011–2024)
Historical salary and employment data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Median Salary in 2024
$60,060
↑ 53.1% since 2011
Median Salary Over Time
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Median Annual Salary
Employment Over Time
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Total Employment
Key Insights
📈Salaries grew 53.1% since 2011 ($39,230 → $60,060)
🏆Peak year: 2024 at $60,060
🦠COVID impact: Salary rose 4.4% from 2019 to 2020, likely reflecting workforce composition changes.
💰After inflation (~3%/yr), real growth is approximately +4%
Year-by-Year Salary Data
| Year | Median Salary | YoY Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $60,060 | +7.3% |
| 2023 | $55,960 | +9.2% |
| 2022 | $51,240 | +4.3% |
| 2021 | $49,130 | +0.8% |
| 2020 | $48,720 | +4.4% |
| 2019 | $46,650 | +4.0% |
| 2018 | $44,840 | +3.7% |
| 2017 | $43,250 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | $42,700 | +1.3% |
| 2015 | $42,170 | +1.9% |
| 2014 | $41,380 | +1.0% |
| 2013 | $40,970 | +2.5% |
| 2012 | $39,980 | +1.9% |
| 2011 | $39,230 | — |
Data Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2011–2024. All figures are annual median wages in nominal dollars.