SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Philadelphia
Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD · 9 metro areas compared
In Philadelphia, PA the median wage is $54,510.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Philadelphia, PA the median wage is $54,510. That is 9.6% lower than the national median of $60,280. Pay ranges from under $40,350 at the tenth percentile to more than $81,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $46,130 to $67,260.
Employment stands at 2,140, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Allentown records the highest median at $55,840. Of the 713 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 450th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,350 | −33.1% |
| 25th | $46,130 | −23.5% |
| Median (50th) | $54,510 | −9.6% |
| 75th | $67,260 | +11.6% |
| 90th | $81,210 | +34.7% |
| Mean | $59,240 | −1.7% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Allentown | $55,840 | 170 | |
| 2 | Chambersburg | $52,750 | 30 | |
| 3 | Reading | $49,920 | 120 | |
| 4 | Harrisburg | $47,990 | 140 | |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $47,100 | 580 | |
| 6 | Lancaster | $46,680 | 100 | |
| 7 | Scranton | $45,670 | 190 | |
| 8 | York | $45,050 | 80 | |
| 9 | Altoona | $44,060 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Philadelphia run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $54,510 goes as far as $55,850 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$54,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,850US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,510 a year, 9.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,350 to $81,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,140 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Allentown, at $55,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Philadelphia, PA?
The median annual wage is $54,510, or $26.21 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 Philadelphia, PA is 9.6% 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 Philadelphia, PA earns more than $81,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,350 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 Allentown, at $55,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,140 jobs in this occupation in Philadelphia, PA. 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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