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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in California
Ranked #1 of 51 · CA
Salary Distribution (10th–90th percentile)
About 80% of mental health and substance abuse social workerss in California earn between $46,450 and $147,300. The blue band is the middle 50% (P25–P75); the dot marks the median.
Compared to the U.S.
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in California is $91,050, about 33.8% above the U.S. average ($68,030). That works out to roughly $44/hr at 2,080 hours per year.
Metro Areas in California
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vallejo, CA | $122,930 | $108,430 | 120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,050 | $117,050 | 1,010 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $98,800 | $109,030 | 140 |
| Salinas, CA | $97,200 | $93,880 | 100 |
| Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area | $93,920 | $94,570 | 40 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $91,730 | $92,740 | 80 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,550 | $109,530 | 1,990 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,370 | $94,450 | 1,310 |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in California?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in California is $79,000 per year (mean $91,050), and about 80% earn between $46,450 and $147,300.
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make per hour in California?
Roughly $44 per hour, based on a mean annual wage of $91,050 and 2,080 work hours per year.
Is California a high-paying state for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
California ranks #1 of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. Its mean salary of $91,050 is about 33.8% above the U.S. average of $68,030.
Which metro areas in California pay mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
The highest-paying metro areas in California for mental health and substance abuse social workers are Vallejo, CA ($122,930), San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($109,050), San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA ($98,800), by median annual wage.
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