Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Houston, TX

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX

Median annual salary $52,430 -12.7% vs national
Median hourly $25.21
10th percentile $36,480
90th percentile $89,390
Employed locally 820
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Houston, TX stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Houston, TX
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $36,480
    25th
    $42,740
    50th (median)
    $52,430
    75th
    $74,840
    90th
    $89,390

    Houston economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,458 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 65% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 35% 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 Angelo, TX $74,730
    Killeen-Temple, TX $64,630
    Wichita Falls, TX $63,770
    College Station-Bryan, TX $49,190
    Abilene, TX $48,310
    Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX $47,470

    Related occupations in Houston, TX

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $75,160
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $50,710
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $64,140
    Social and Human Service Assistants $45,310
    Healthcare Social Workers $73,030
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $51,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Houston, TX is $25.21, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.07 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Houston, TX is 12.7% 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 Houston?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $36,480 per year in Houston, TX. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $42,740.