Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Alaska
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Alaska earn a median of $56,710 a year ($27.26 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,670 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $60,280. Alaska ranks 26th of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. There are 0.75 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Alaska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| 25th percentile | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Median | $56,710 | $27.26 |
| 75th percentile | $68,690 | $33.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,670 | $41.19 |
| Average (mean) | $60,380 | $29.03 |
Half of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,725.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,362.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,181.15 |
| Weekly | $1,090.58 |
| Hourly | $27.26 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $56,710 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alaska at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in cities in Alaska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $56,800 | 50 |
| Anchorage, AK | $49,460 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for mental health and substance abuse social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $79,380 |
| California | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 |
| Maryland | $73,580 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 |
| Vermont | $73,210 |
| Washington | $70,460 |
| Oregon | $68,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 |
See Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Alaska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $80,770 | $38.83 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $62,630 | $30.11 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $82,900 | $39.86 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $62,000 | $29.81 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $77,000 | $37.02 |
| Community Health Worker | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $61,220 | $29.44 |
| Health Education Specialist | $71,940 | $34.59 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,730 | $27.27 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $61,590 | $29.61 |
| Counselors, All Other | $45,060 | $21.67 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,010 | $28.85 |
| Clergy | $55,780 | $26.82 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Alaska
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Alaska?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Alaska is $56,710 a year, or $27.26 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Alaska?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Alaska earn at least $85,670 a year. The top 25% earn $68,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Alaska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,250 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $49,430 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Alaska?
About 250 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Alaska, not counting the self-employed.