SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Connecticut
Connecticut · 5 metro areas compared
In Connecticut the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers reaches $78,640 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Connecticut the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers reaches $78,640 a year. That is 30.5% more than the national median of $60,280. Pay ranges from under $49,260 at the tenth percentile to more than $108,530 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $62,300 to $92,430.
Employment stands at 1,540, or 0.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Connecticut ranks number 3rd out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Norwich records the highest median at $84,260. Of the 674 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 246th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,260 | −18.3% |
| 25th | $62,300 | +3.4% |
| Median (50th) | $78,640 | +30.5% |
| 75th | $92,430 | +53.3% |
| 90th | $108,530 | +80.0% |
| Mean | $78,250 | +29.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Connecticut
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Norwich | $84,260 | 130 | |
| 2 | Hartford | $81,990 | 460 | |
| 3 | Bridgeport | $79,940 | 360 | |
| 4 | Waterbury | $78,640 | 210 | |
| 5 | New Haven | $67,330 | 280 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Connecticut run 3.6% above the national average, so the median of $78,640 buys what $75,907 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 25.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,640as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$75,907US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,640 a year, 30.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,260 to $108,530 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,540 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 3rd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Norwich, at $84,260.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Connecticut?
The median annual wage is $78,640, or $37.81 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 Connecticut is 30.5% 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 Connecticut earns more than $108,530 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,260 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 Norwich, at $84,260 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,540 jobs in this occupation in Connecticut. 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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