SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Austin
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos, TX · 10 metro areas compared
In Austin, TX the median wage is $47,740.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Austin, TX the median wage is $47,740. That is 20.8% lower than the national median of $60,280. Pay ranges from under $37,730 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,630 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,450 to $60,160.
The area has 860 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.78 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Angelo records the highest median at $66,770. Of the 598 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 420th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,730 | −37.4% |
| 25th | $44,450 | −26.3% |
| Median (50th) | $47,740 | −20.8% |
| 75th | $60,160 | −0.2% |
| 90th | $77,630 | +28.8% |
| Mean | $53,050 | −12.0% |
Other metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Angelo | $66,770 | 50 | |
| 2 | Wichita Falls | $63,770 | 40 | |
| 3 | College Station | $49,850 | 130 | |
| 4 | Houston | $48,880 | 1,160 | |
| 5 | Dallas | $47,390 | 2,720 | |
| 6 | Lubbock | $46,550 | 90 | |
| 7 | San Antonio | $45,930 | 660 | |
| 8 | Killeen | $45,640 | 90 | |
| 9 | Beaumont | $45,260 | 30 | |
| 10 | El Paso | $44,150 | 230 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Austin run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $47,740 goes as far as $49,166 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,166US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,740 a year, 20.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $37,730 to $77,630 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 860 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Angelo, at $66,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Austin, TX?
The median annual wage is $47,740, or $22.95 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,280, so pay in Austin, TX is 20.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Austin, TX earns more than $77,630 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $37,730 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Angelo, at $66,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 860 jobs in this occupation in Austin, TX. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
Explore related data