Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington
Considering working as a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington? Here’s what you need to know. Assess and treat individuals with mental, emotional, or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, and/or other drugs. Activities may include individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, case management, client advocacy, prevention, and education.
What do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Make in Washington?
The mental health and substance abuse social workers working in Washington, wages run about $69,060 per year (or about $33.20/hour).Pay can range from $45,000 at the 10th percentile to $104,430 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| Median (50th) | $69,060 | $33.20 |
| 75th percentile | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| 90th percentile | $104,430 | $50.21 |
The job concentration index in Washington nationwide is 1.21, meaning that mental health and substance abuse social workers are more concentrated here than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, mental health and substance abuse social workers earn a median of $58,560 per year ($28.15/hour), exceeding the Washington median.
Employment Outlook
There are roughly 239,687 mental health and substance abuse social workers nationwide. In Washington alone, approximately 3,490 people work in this role. That’s more than the typical state, which employs around 1,360 mental health and substance abuse social workers.
Top Washington Metros for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
The metro areas below employ the most mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | 2,020 | $77,360 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | 460 | $61,990 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | 110 | $72,360 |
| Yakima, WA | 110 | $59,370 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | 90 | $59,850 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | 80 | $66,740 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | 70 | $46,530 |
| Bellingham, WA | 60 | $76,180 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | 50 | $65,740 |
Top States for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Employment
View the states that employ the most mental health and substance abuse social workers work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| California | 18,020 |
| New York | 14,180 |
| Ohio | 6,870 |
| Massachusetts | 6,790 |
| Florida | 6,260 |
| Texas | 5,810 |
| Michigan | 5,130 |
| Pennsylvania | 4,150 |
| Arizona | 3,610 |
| Washington | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | 3,430 |
| New Jersey | 3,140 |
| Virginia | 3,130 |
| North Carolina | 2,700 |
| Missouri | 2,530 |
| Oregon | 2,160 |
| Tennessee | 2,130 |
| Indiana | 2,060 |
| Colorado | 1,980 |
| Wisconsin | 1,950 |
Highest-Paying States for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
These states pay the most for mental health and substance abuse social workers.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $80,230 |
| Connecticut | $78,820 |
| Minnesota | $77,100 |
| California | $75,320 |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 |
| Oregon | $71,830 |
| New Jersey | $70,420 |
| Hawaii | $70,340 |
| Vermont | $69,540 |
| Washington | $69,060 |
Skills
Top mental health and substance abuse social workers skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
The abilities that matter most for mental health and substance abuse social workers, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Day-to-day, mental health and substance abuse social workers typically:
- Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
- Counsel or aid family members to assist them in understanding, dealing with, or supporting the client or patient.
- Increase social work knowledge by reviewing current literature, conducting social research, or attending seminars, training workshops, or classes.
- Refer patient, client, or family to community resources for housing or treatment to assist in recovery from mental or physical illness, following through to ensure service efficacy.
- Plan or conduct programs to prevent substance abuse, combat social problems, or improve health or counseling services in community.
Work Activities
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Documenting/Recording Information
- Assisting and Caring for Others
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
- Getting Information
- Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work
- Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others
- Providing Consultation and Advice to Others
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Developing Objectives and Strategies
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Adobe Acrobat In-demand technologies: Microsoft Excel
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Several college majors map to this occupation:
- Social Work
- Mental & Social Health Services
Featured schools near , edit
Related Careers
Related occupations to mental health and substance abuse social workers include:
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
- Clinical Neuropsychologists
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Mental Health Counselors
- Rehabilitation Counselors
Also Known As
Addictions Counselor, Alcoholism Worker, Assessment Specialist, BHC (Behavioral Health Consultant), Behavior Specialist, Behavioral Case Manager, Behavioral Clinician, Behavioral Health Care Manager (BHCM), Behavioral Health Case Manager, Behavioral Health Social Worker, Behavioral Health Utilization Management Representative (Behavioral Health Utilization Management Rep), Behavioral Health Worker, Behavioral Technician, Case Manager, Case Therapist.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 21-1023.00
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