As of June 2026, Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers has an AI-exposure score of 55/100 (Elevated exposure) on the AI-Safe Careers index, blending O*NET tasks, the Anthropic Economic Index, the Penn/OpenAI study, and BLS data. This is an estimate of task exposure, not a prediction of job loss.

AI Exposure Score for

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

55/100
Elevated exposure
LowModerateElevatedHighVery High

More exposed than 47% of the roles we track. Median pay ~US$60,280. About 13,500 projected openings a year (BLS 2024–34 — growth plus replacement).

Pay & demand figures are US medians (BLS, in USD) — your local figures will differ. Your exposure score applies broadly.

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How you compare to similar Community & Social Service roles

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (you)
55
Community Health Workers
55
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors
56
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
54
Rehabilitation Counselors
59
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
59
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Your tasks, by AI exposure

Automatable

No automatable tasks identified for this role — its real, individually-assessed tasks consistently read as augmentable (54%).

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

Safer adjacent roles

Healthcare Social Workers
80% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$67,880
47
Marriage and Family Therapists
72% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$66,940
47
Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder Counselors
64% skills overlap · Elevated exposure
59
Rehabilitation Counselors
56% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$46,850
59
Mental Health Counselor
48% skills overlap · Low exposure · ~US$53,710
31
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists
40% skills overlap · Moderate exposure · ~US$100,580
47
Child, Family, and School Social Workers
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$59,550
54
Psychiatrists
40% skills overlap · Elevated exposure · ~US$281,870
49

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Important: This is an estimate of AI exposure, not a prediction that your job will disappear. It is designed to help you understand how your role may change and improve your career resilience.