SOC 21-1023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers — Worcester
Worcester, MA · 5 metro areas compared
At $60,480, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Worcester, MA tracks the national median of $60,280 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,480, median pay for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Worcester, MA tracks the national median of $60,280 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $52,920 and $74,390. The lowest tenth earn under $46,860, while the highest tenth earn more than $91,910.
The area has 960 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 3.21 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Amherst Town leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $69,960. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 280th of 481 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,860 | −22.3% |
| 25th | $52,920 | −12.2% |
| Median (50th) | $60,480 | +0.3% |
| 75th | $74,390 | +23.4% |
| 90th | $91,910 | +52.5% |
| Mean | $65,020 | +7.9% |
Other metro areas in Massachusetts
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Amherst Town | $69,960 | 210 | |
| 2 | Boston | $63,830 | 4,660 | |
| 3 | Barnstable Town | $62,990 | 170 | |
| 4 | Springfield | $60,250 | 510 | |
| 5 | Pittsfield | $56,660 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Worcester run 5.8% above the national average, so the median of $60,480 buys what $57,164 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 5.2% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,480as reported by BLSLocal price level
105.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$57,164US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,480 a year, 0.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,860 to $91,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 960 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Amherst Town, at $69,960.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Worcester, MA?
The median annual wage is $60,480, or $29.08 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 Worcester, MA is 0.3% 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 Worcester, MA earns more than $91,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,860 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 Amherst Town, at $69,960 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 960 jobs in this occupation in Worcester, MA. 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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