SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Texas
Texas · 10 metro areas compared
In Texas the median wage is $46,630.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Texas the median wage is $46,630. That is 22.6% lower than the national median of $60,280. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $41,080 and $57,320. The lowest tenth earn under $36,870, while the highest tenth earn more than $79,210.
Employment stands at 8,220, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, Texas ranks 42nd by median wage. San Angelo leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $66,770. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 530th of 794 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,870 | −38.8% |
| 25th | $41,080 | −31.9% |
| Median (50th) | $46,630 | −22.6% |
| 75th | $57,320 | −4.9% |
| 90th | $79,210 | +31.4% |
| Mean | $53,450 | −11.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Texas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Angelo | $66,770 | 50 | |
| 2 | Wichita Falls | $63,770 | 40 | |
| 3 | College Station | $49,850 | 130 | |
| 4 | Houston | $48,880 | 1,160 | |
| 5 | Austin | $47,740 | 860 | |
| 6 | Dallas | $47,390 | 2,720 | |
| 7 | Lubbock | $46,550 | 90 | |
| 8 | San Antonio | $45,930 | 660 | |
| 9 | Killeen | $45,640 | 90 | |
| 10 | Beaumont | $45,260 | 30 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Texas run 2.9% below the national average, so the median of $46,630 goes as far as $48,023 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$48,023US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,630 a year, 22.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,870 to $79,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 8,220 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 42nd of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Angelo, at $66,770.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Texas?
The median annual wage is $46,630, or $22.42 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 Texas is 22.6% 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 Texas earns more than $79,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,870 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 San Angelo, at $66,770 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 8,220 jobs in this occupation in Texas. 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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