SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Seattle
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · 8 metro areas compared
The median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Seattle, WA is $78,350 per year, well above the national median of $60,280.
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 Seattle, WA is $78,350 per year, well above the national median of $60,280. The gap of 30.0% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $49,280 at the tenth percentile to more than $105,880 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $57,760 to $86,700.
The area has 1,840 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Spokane leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $71,140. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 353rd of 693 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,280 | −18.2% |
| 25th | $57,760 | −4.2% |
| Median (50th) | $78,350 | +30.0% |
| 75th | $86,700 | +43.8% |
| 90th | $105,880 | +75.6% |
| Mean | $76,290 | +26.6% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spokane | $71,140 | 430 | |
| 2 | Mount Vernon | $68,850 | 80 | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $65,770 | 90 | |
| 4 | Bremerton | $65,500 | 60 | |
| 5 | Kennewick | $59,230 | 100 | |
| 6 | Olympia | $57,370 | 210 | |
| 7 | Yakima | $53,850 | 130 | |
| 8 | Longview | $46,790 | 70 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Seattle run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $78,350 buys what $73,224 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 21.5% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$78,350as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$73,224US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $78,350 a year, 30.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,280 to $105,880 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,840 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Spokane, at $71,140.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Seattle, WA?
The median annual wage is $78,350, or $37.67 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 Seattle, WA is 30.0% 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 Seattle, WA earns more than $105,880 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,280 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 Spokane, at $71,140 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,840 jobs in this occupation in Seattle, WA. 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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