How long does the training take?

Typically about six years of study in total, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.

How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make?

The US median is $60,280 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.

Do you need a degree for this work?

Yes — a degree is the usual way in.

Where can you train for this work?

792 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

🎓 My University View

Home › Careers › Mental health and substance abuse social workers

Mental health and substance abuse social workers: pay, training and the programs that lead there

Community & social service · SOC 21-1023

$60,280US median pay, 2025

+10.3%Projected growth, 2025–35

12,500Openings per year

DegreeUsual way in

How you get in

A degree is the usual way in.

Master's degree
Internship/residency
Work in: mental health and substance abuse social workers

Programs that lead to this job

These are the federal program codes (CIP) that the Department of Education maps to this occupation, and how many US colleges, community colleges or trade schools report awarding credentials in each.

Program	Code	Schools
Social Work	CIP 44.0701	771
Clinical/Medical Social Work	CIP 51.1503	45
Social Work, Other	CIP 44.0799	29

See the 792 schools that offer these programs →

Common questions

How long does the training take?: Typically about six years of study in total, then an internship or residency, often one to three years. That is the usual route rather than a rule — people arrive by other paths all the time.
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make?: The US median is $60,280 a year, meaning half earn more and half less. Pay varies widely by state, employer and experience.
Do you need a degree for this work?: Yes — a degree is the usual way in.
Where can you train for this work?: 792 US colleges, community colleges and trade schools award credentials in a matching program. See which ones →

Pay and growth are national figures. What you earn depends on where you work, your employer and your experience, and these are projections rather than promises. Education requirements describe how most people enter the job, not a rule — plenty of people take another route.

Pay, growth, openings and entry requirements: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2025–35. Program-to-occupation mapping: NCES CIP–SOC crosswalk (2020/2018). School counts: IPEDS completions, 2022–23.

Related careers in Community & social service

Social and human service assistants · Child, family, and school social workers · Educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors · Clergy · Healthcare social workers · Directors, religious activities and education · Religious workers, all other · Community and social service specialists, all other