SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Durham
Durham-Chapel Hill, NC · 10 metro areas compared
At $60,390, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Durham, NC tracks the national median of $60,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,390, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Durham, NC tracks the national median of $60,280 closely. Pay ranges from under $45,450 at the tenth percentile to more than $97,030 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $50,810 to $79,490.
Employment stands at 340, or 1.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $63,400. Of the 453 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 221st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,450 | −24.6% |
| 25th | $50,810 | −15.7% |
| Median (50th) | $60,390 | +0.2% |
| 75th | $79,490 | +31.9% |
| 90th | $97,030 | +61.0% |
| Mean | $66,980 | +11.1% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $63,400 | 160 | |
| 2 | Winston-Salem | $60,110 | 140 | |
| 3 | Rocky Mount | $59,780 | 60 | |
| 4 | Greensboro | $59,550 | 230 | |
| 5 | Raleigh | $59,380 | 410 | |
| 6 | Charlotte | $58,090 | 840 | |
| 7 | Burlington | $57,880 | 40 | |
| 8 | Hickory | $57,150 | 140 | |
| 9 | Goldsboro | $55,660 | 40 | |
| 10 | Wilmington | $54,990 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Durham run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $60,390 goes as far as $64,040 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,040US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,390 a year, 0.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $45,450 to $97,030 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 340 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Asheville, at $63,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Durham, NC?
The median annual wage is $60,390, or $29.03 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 Durham, NC is 0.2% 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 Durham, NC earns more than $97,030 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $45,450 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 Asheville, at $63,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 340 jobs in this occupation in Durham, NC. 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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