Occupational Employment Statistics

DETAILED OCCUPATION DATA

21-1023 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Occupational Description:
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.

Occupational Employment Statistics(OES) Wage Data
First Quarter 2026

Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Percentiles
Geography	Employment	Emp SE*	Mean	10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
Minnesota	3,590	413	$36.78/hr	$25.19/hr	$29.70/hr	$37.08/hr	$42.50/hr	$48.70/hr

Leading Industries for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Industry	OES Employment (Statewide)	OES Median Wage (Statewide)
Professional and Business Services	70	$46.19/hr
Education and Health Services	2,830	$34.01/hr
Other Services	N/A	N/A
Public Administration	690	$45.05/hr

Other Regional Data for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Geography	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
La Crosse WI-MN MSA	30	$33.00/hr	N/A
Grand Forks ND-MN MSA	50	$29.73/hr	N/A
St Cloud MN MSA	50	$33.73/hr	N/A
Fargo ND-MN MSA	90	$29.59/hr	N/A
Mankato-North Mankato MN MSA	90	$41.28/hr	N/A
Southwest Balance of State	110	$38.25/hr	N/A
Rochester MN MSA	110	$38.07/hr	N/A
Northeast Balance of State	120	$32.81/hr	N/A
Southeast Balance of State	130	$38.54/hr	N/A
Southwest Minnesota	170	$38.28/hr	3.9%
Duluth MN-WI MSA	190	$34.79/hr	N/A
Northwest Balance of State	200	$35.58/hr	N/A
Southeast Minnesota	220	$38.54/hr	7.3%
Northwest Minnesota	240	$34.36/hr	10.0%
Central Minnesota	270	$38.36/hr	6.3%
Northeast Minnesota	290	$33.05/hr	8.6%
Seven County Mpls-St Paul, MN	2,340	$36.59/hr	5.9%
Minneapolis-St Paul-Bloomington MN-WI MSA	2,500	$37.08/hr	N/A
Minnesota	3,590	$37.08/hr	6.5%

Related Occupations

Occupations	Employment	Median Wage	Projections % Change 2022-2032
Healthcare Social Workers	2,430	$36.56/hr	5.8%
Marriage and Family Therapists	4,870	$35.82/hr	14.7%
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	1,290	$52.90/hr	9.9%
Rehabilitation Counselors	3,020	$23.73/hr	7.1%
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	6,540	$33.34/hr	5.6%
School Psychologists	1,060	$42.11/hr	3.0%
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	4,200	$31.93/hr	6.8%
Social and Human Service Assistants	11,110	$24.68/hr	7.3%
Psychiatrists	580	>$100/hr	7.2%
Registered Nurses	70,110	$50.17/hr	5.3%

Task for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.