Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Birmingham, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Birmingham, AL

Median annual salary $43,360 -27.8% vs national
Median hourly $20.85
10th percentile $29,200
90th percentile $63,340
Employed locally 260
National median $60,060

Compare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary & buying power

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Birmingham, AL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,200
    25th
    $30,270
    50th (median)
    $43,360
    75th
    $58,140
    90th
    $63,340

    Birmingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,627 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 62% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 38% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Cheyenne, WY $118,900
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $116,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Las Cruces, NM $97,490

    Nearby metros — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $93,390
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    Salisbury, MD $77,360

    Related occupations in Birmingham, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $46,810
    Social and Human Service Assistants $37,620
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $64,800
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $50,650
    Healthcare Social Workers $61,810
    Health Education Specialists $44,950

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Birmingham?

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Birmingham, AL is $20.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $29.21 or more per hour.

    Is Birmingham above or below average for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries?

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Birmingham, AL is 27.8% below the national median of $60,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Birmingham?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,200 per year in Birmingham, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,270.