There are currently an estimated 123,900 substance abuse social workers in the United States. The substance abuse social worker job market is expected to grow by 19.4% between 2016 and 2026.

How employable are substance abuse social workers?

CareerExplorer rates substance abuse social workers with a B+ employability rating, meaning this career should provide good employment opportunities for the foreseeable future. Over the next 10 years, it is expected the US will need 30,400 substance abuse social workers. That number is based on 24,000 additional substance abuse social workers, and the retirement of 6,400 existing substance abuse social workers.

What’s the supply of substance abuse social workers?

The substance abuse social worker industry is concentrated in California, New York, Pennsylvania

Substance Abuse Social Worker job market by state

State Name Employed Substance Abuse Social Workers
California 12,600
New York 10,580
Pennsylvania 8,640
Massachusetts 6,720
Texas 5,110
Ohio 4,830
Virginia 4,320
Michigan 3,600
Florida 3,510
Illinois 3,130
Missouri 3,010
North Carolina 2,920
Minnesota 2,840
Arizona 2,550
Maryland 2,320
Washington 2,170
Oregon 2,170
Indiana 1,980
Colorado 1,980
Connecticut 1,910
Tennessee 1,790
Wisconsin 1,680
New Jersey 1,560
Louisiana 1,330
Vermont 1,230
Oklahoma 1,210
Maine 1,190
Alabama 1,180
Georgia 1,100
South Carolina 1,050
Iowa 990
Arkansas 990
Kansas 900
Utah 800
Mississippi 800
Kentucky 760
Nevada 730
New Mexico 690
Rhode Island 650
Idaho 630
Alaska 620
District of Columbia 520
Montana 430
Hawaii 400
Delaware 390
Nebraska 380
South Dakota 340
Puerto Rico 270
North Dakota 260
New Hampshire 260
Wyoming 170
West Virginia 130
Guam 80