Salary distribution
Where Pennsylvania mental health and substance abuse social workers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $43,910 and $63,230, with a median of $49,590.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Pennsylvania: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 25 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $50,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 20 | $50,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $56,961 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $72,800 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Pennsylvania. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omni Health Services Inc. | Outpatient Therapist | 17 | $50,000 |
| Intercultural Family Services, Inc. | Outpatient Clinical Therapist | 2 | $69,680 |
| Omni Health Services, Inc. | Behavioral Specialist | 2 | $50,440 |
| The Center for Autism | CORE-Assistant Behavior Consultant | 2 | $46,488 |
| Hispanic Community Counseling Services | Behavioral Health Specialist | 1 | $72,800 |
| Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc. | Care Manager | 1 | $67,434 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Outpatient Clinical Therapist at Intercultural Family Services, Inc.$83,200PhiladelphiaWage Level IIDecided Jul 10, 2025I-200-25183-146599
- Outpatient Therapist at Omni Health Services Inc.$50,000AllentownWage Level IDecided Jul 8, 2025I-200-25181-140498
- Behavioral Health Specialist at Hispanic Community Counseling Services$72,800PhiladelphiaWage Level IVDecided Jun 26, 2025I-200-25169-108773
- Care Manager at Greater Philadelphia Health Action, Inc.$67,434PhiladelphiaWage Level IIDecided Mar 7, 2025I-200-25059-732612
- Behavioral Specialist at Omni Health Services, Inc.$50,440ChesterWage Level IDecided Feb 19, 2025I-200-25042-682849
- CORE-Assistant Behavior Consultant at The Center for Autism$46,488PhiladelphiaWage Level IIDecided Jan 23, 2025I-200-25015-620649
- CORE-Assistant Behavior Consultant at The Center for Autism$46,488PhiladelphiaWage Level IIDecided Jan 14, 2025I-200-25006-597864
- Behavioral Specialist at Omni Health Services, Inc.$50,440TobyhannaWage Level IDecided Oct 9, 2024I-200-24276-379332
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay by experience level in Pennsylvania
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Pennsylvania over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Master's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.8 / 5
Therapy and Counseling
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.3 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Counsel clients in individual or group sessions to assist them in dealing with substance abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
- 02
Collaborate with counselors, physicians, or nurses to plan or coordinate treatment, drawing on social work experience and patient needs.
- 03
Monitor, evaluate, and record client progress with respect to treatment goals.
- 04
Interview clients, review records, conduct assessments, or confer with other professionals to evaluate the mental or physical condition of clients or patients.
- 05
Supervise or direct other workers who provide services to clients or patients.
- 06
Modify treatment plans according to changes in client status.
- 07
Assist clients in adhering to treatment plans, such as setting up appointments, arranging for transportation to appointments, or providing support.
- 08
Educate clients or community members about mental or physical illness, abuse, medication, or available community resources.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.7%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Pennsylvania
Metro-level salary data for mental health and substance abuse social workers in major Pennsylvania metropolitan areas.
- Philadelphia$55,830
- Pittsburgh$46,270
Compare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Pennsylvania?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Pennsylvania is $49,590.
- How does Pennsylvania compare to the national median for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
- The Pennsylvania median is -18.7% versus the BLS national figure of $61,012.
- What is the salary range for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Pennsylvania?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $38,590 and the 90th-percentile at $80,610, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.7% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Master's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.