SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Charleston
Charleston-North Charleston, SC · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay in Charleston, SC is $42,060 a year, 30.2% under the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Charleston, SC is $42,060 a year, 30.2% under the national median of $60,280 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $36,450 and $46,760. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $31,370 and the ninetieth at $57,140.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.1 of every thousand jobs. Columbia leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $48,250. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 409th of 513 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,370 | −48.0% |
| 25th | $36,450 | −39.5% |
| Median (50th) | $42,060 | −30.2% |
| 75th | $46,760 | −22.4% |
| 90th | $57,140 | −5.2% |
| Mean | $43,070 | −28.6% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $48,250 | 210 | |
| 2 | Greenville | $36,210 | — | |
| 3 | Myrtle Beach | $35,590 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charleston run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $42,060 goes as far as $44,888 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$42,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,888US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $42,060 a year, 30.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,370 to $57,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Columbia, at $48,250.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Charleston, SC?
The median annual wage is $42,060, or $20.22 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 Charleston, SC is 30.2% 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 Charleston, SC earns more than $57,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,370 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 Columbia, at $48,250 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in Charleston, SC. 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.
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