SOC 21-1023
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Risk Score
โ ๏ธ36/100
Moderate
US Employment
๐ฅ125,910
Total workers
Median Wage
๐ฐ$60K
$40K โ $104K
Projected Growth
๐+9.7%
2023-2033 (BLS)
GenAI Exposure
๐ค81/100
High exposure
๐ก Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers face a risk score of 36/100 โ 8 points below the national average of 44. With 81/100 GenAI exposure, this occupation faces significant pressure from AI tools despite strong projected growth. See our methodology โ
๐ก Workers in this field earn $60K ($14K above the national median). The 3 recommended career transitions all maintain competitive wages while reducing automation exposure. Explore transition paths โ
๐ AI Impact Analysis
With a risk score of 36/100, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers faces moderate automation pressure. While tasks like ai-driven case management and resource matching are increasingly handled by AI, the role retains significant human elements. The 125,910 workers in this occupation should focus on strengthening skills in cultural sensitivity in diverse community contexts and navigating complex family and community dynamics to stay ahead. The role will likely evolve rather than disappear.
Will AI Replace Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Read our full analysis with verdict, risk factors, safe tasks, and career transition paths โ
โ ๏ธ Top Risk Factors
AI-driven case management and resource matching
AI coding assistants reducing developer demand
Data analytics optimizing community program delivery
๐ก๏ธ Tasks Safe from Automation
Cultural sensitivity in diverse community contexts
Navigating complex family and community dynamics
Deep empathetic engagement with vulnerable populations
Crisis intervention requiring immediate human judgment
๐ Task Automation Breakdown
Based on O*NET task analysis and GenAI exposure scoring. Shows the estimated proportion of this occupation's core tasks that are automatable by current AI, augmented by AI tools, or require essential human skills.
๐ O*NET Task Profile
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.
๐ป Technology Skills
Document management software
Desktop publishing software
Medical software
Office suite software
Data base user interface and query software
๐ Key Knowledge Areas
Therapy and Counseling
Psychology
English Language
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training
๐ vs National Average
National avg: $46K
National avg: 44/100
National avg: 38/100
National avg: 3.7%
๐ Career Transition Paths
| Occupation | Risk | Wage | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Workers, All Other | 22 | $69K | 73% |
| Dentists, All Other Specialists | 13 | $226K | 56% |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | 23 | $59K | 76% |