SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Greenville
Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC · 3 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Greenville, SC is $36,210 per year, substantially below the national median of $60,280 — a gap of 39.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Greenville, SC is $36,210 per year, substantially below the national median of $60,280 — a gap of 39.9%. Pay ranges from under $30,250 at the tenth percentile to more than $61,740 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $30,250 to $43,170.
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 440th of 507 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,250 | −49.8% |
| 25th | $30,250 | −49.8% |
| Median (50th) | $36,210 | −39.9% |
| 75th | $43,170 | −28.4% |
| 90th | $61,740 | +2.4% |
| Mean | $39,710 | −34.1% |
Other metro areas in South Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Columbia | $48,250 | 210 | |
| 2 | Charleston | $42,060 | 50 | |
| 3 | Myrtle Beach | $35,590 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Greenville run 6.3% below the national average, so the median of $36,210 goes as far as $38,645 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 35.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,645US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,210 a year, 39.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,250 to $61,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- 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 Greenville, SC?
The median annual wage is $36,210, or $17.41 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 Greenville, SC is 39.9% 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 Greenville, SC earns more than $61,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,250 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.
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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