SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Raleigh
Raleigh-Cary, NC · 10 metro areas compared
At $59,380, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $60,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $59,380, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Raleigh, NC tracks the national median of $60,280 closely. Pay ranges from under $42,850 at the tenth percentile to more than $95,010 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,380 to $78,690.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.64 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Asheville records the highest median at $63,400. Of the 571 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 293rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,850 | −28.9% |
| 25th | $48,380 | −19.7% |
| Median (50th) | $59,380 | −1.5% |
| 75th | $78,690 | +30.5% |
| 90th | $95,010 | +57.6% |
| Mean | $64,950 | +7.7% |
Other metro areas in North Carolina
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Asheville | $63,400 | 160 | |
| 2 | Durham | $60,390 | 340 | |
| 3 | Winston-Salem | $60,110 | 140 | |
| 4 | Rocky Mount | $59,780 | 60 | |
| 5 | Greensboro | $59,550 | 230 | |
| 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 Raleigh run 5.7% below the national average, so the median of $59,380 goes as far as $62,969 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,380as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$62,969US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,380 a year, 1.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,850 to $95,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 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 Raleigh, NC?
The median annual wage is $59,380, or $28.55 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 Raleigh, NC is 1.5% 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 Raleigh, NC earns more than $95,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,850 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 410 jobs in this occupation in Raleigh, 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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