SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · United States
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers across the United States is $60,280 per year, measured over 132,810 jobs. The highest state median is in New York, at $79,380.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
Pay for this occupation varies by 98.8% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. New York pays $79,380 and South Carolina pays $39,930.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $79,380 | 14,820 | |
| 2 | California | $79,000 | 19,860 | |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,640 | 1,540 | |
| 4 | Minnesota | $75,020 | 3,590 | |
| 5 | Maryland | $73,580 | 2,250 | |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $73,310 | 510 | |
| 7 | Vermont | $73,210 | 320 | |
| 8 | Washington | $70,460 | 3,490 | |
| 9 | Oregon | $68,210 | 2,230 | |
| 10 | New Jersey | $66,590 | 2,420 |
States with the most Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 19,860 | $79,000 | |
| 2 | New York | 14,820 | $79,380 | |
| 3 | Texas | 8,220 | $46,630 | |
| 4 | Massachusetts | 7,440 | $62,500 | |
| 5 | Ohio | 6,050 | $46,080 | |
| 6 | Florida | 5,150 | $51,590 | |
| 7 | Michigan | 4,620 | $60,830 | |
| 8 | Arizona | 3,690 | $46,380 | |
| 9 | North Carolina | 3,690 | $58,210 | |
| 10 | Virginia | 3,670 | $64,240 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vallejo | $122,930 | 120 |
| 2 | Cheyenne | $118,900 | 30 |
| 3 | San Jose | $109,050 | 1,010 |
| 4 | San Luis Obispo | $98,800 | 140 |
| 5 | Salinas | $97,200 | 100 |
| 6 | Fayetteville | $96,420 | 130 |
| 7 | Hanford | $91,730 | 80 |
| 8 | San Francisco | $87,550 | 1,990 |
| 9 | Riverside | $87,370 | 1,310 |
| 10 | Boulder | $84,450 | 70 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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