Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California
Local pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in California, on the same wage scale as the U.S. Growth and openings are national.
SOC 21-1023
$79,000
median pay, California
19,860
employed in California
+31.1%
vs U.S. median
+9.7%
growth, 2024–34 (U.S.)
What mental health and substance abuse social workers earn in California
California · annual wage · OEWS May 2025
Half of mental health and substance abuse social workers in California earn between $57,800 and $118,860 a year; the U.S. median is $60,280.
$46,450
P10
$57,800
P25
$79,000
MEDIAN
$118,860
P75
$147,300
P90
Pay by metro in California
$122,930
$109,050
$98,800
$97,200
$91,730
$87,550
$87,370
$84,190
$40k $130k $220k