Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary (2025)
Based on 132,810 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $39,740 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $47,070 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $60,280 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $79,730 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $104,170 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$40K
25th
$47K
Median
$60K
75th
$80K
90th
$104K
Highest Paying States for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| California | $91,050 |
| New York | $86,110 |
| District of Columbia | $83,340 |
| Connecticut | $78,250 |
| Rhode Island | $76,970 |
| Vermont | $76,580 |
| New Hampshire | $75,280 |
| Minnesota | $74,420 |
| Oregon | $73,050 |
| Maryland | $72,980 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is California at an average of $91,050 per year, while Maryland has an average of $72,980 — a difference of $18,070. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 132,810 workers were employed as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workerss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Community and Social Service Occupations. The annual mean wage of $68,030 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 21-1023