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

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Birmingham, AL have a median annual salary of $38,140, with 290 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $29,370 at the 10th percentile to $60,760 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$38,140

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$18.34

Employment

290

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$29,370
10th
$35,360
25th
$38,140
Median
$54,610
75th
$60,760
90th

Local compared with national

Birmingham, AL

$38,140

Median annual · 2025

United States

$60,280

Median annual · 2025

The Birmingham, AL median is 36.7% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $22,140).

Top skills

  1. 1.Social PerceptivenessImportance 4.3
  2. 2.Active ListeningImportance 4.1
  3. 3.SpeakingImportance 4.1
  4. 4.Reading ComprehensionImportance 4.0
  5. 5.Critical ThinkingImportance 4.0
  6. 6.MonitoringImportance 4.0
  7. 7.CoordinationImportance 3.9
  8. 8.Service OrientationImportance 3.9
  9. 9.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.9
  10. 10.WritingImportance 3.8
  11. 11.Learning StrategiesImportance 3.8
  12. 12.PersuasionImportance 3.8

Career information

Education and experience

Typical education
Master's Degree
Experience
Over 2 years, up to and including 4 years
Job zone
5

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Adobe PageMaker
  • Client records software
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Database software
  • Email software
  • Information presentation software
  • James Frazier Associates DataStart
  • Medical condition coding software
  • Medical procedure coding software
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Internet Explorer
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint

Common tasks

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

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Birmingham, AL