SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Charlottesville
Charlottesville, VA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $61,970 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $61,970 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $60,280. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $56,080 and $77,960. The lowest tenth earn under $51,200, while the highest tenth earn more than $98,610.
Within the state, Staunton records the highest median at $68,800. Of the 344 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 160th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $51,200 | −15.1% |
| 25th | $56,080 | −7.0% |
| Median (50th) | $61,970 | +2.8% |
| 75th | $77,960 | +29.3% |
| 90th | $98,610 | +63.6% |
| Mean | $68,530 | +13.7% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Staunton | $68,800 | 50 | |
| 2 | Richmond | $63,020 | 740 | |
| 3 | Virginia Beach | $61,760 | — | |
| 4 | Blacksburg | $58,980 | — | |
| 5 | Lynchburg | $58,320 | 90 | |
| 6 | Roanoke | $58,320 | 190 | |
| 7 | Winchester | $51,900 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Charlottesville sit close to the national average, so $61,970 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$61,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,296US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $61,970 a year, 2.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $51,200 to $98,610 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Staunton, at $68,800.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Charlottesville, VA?
The median annual wage is $61,970, or $29.79 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 Charlottesville, VA is 2.8% higher. 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 Charlottesville, VA earns more than $98,610 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $51,200 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 Staunton, at $68,800 per year.
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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