Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Washington
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington earn a median annual wage of $70,460 —16.9% above the national median of $60,280. That ranks WA #8 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is 1.15× as concentrated as the national average, making Washington a strong market for this occupation.
Highest-paying states for mental health and substance abuse social workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Washington is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $79,380 | $38.16 | 14,820 | 1.79 |
| 2 | California | $79,000 | $37.98 | 19,860 | 1.28 |
| 3 | Connecticut | $78,640 | $37.81 | 1,540 | 1.06 |
| 4 | Minnesota | $75,020 | $36.07 | 3,590 | 1.42 |
| 5 | Maryland | $73,580 | $35.37 | 2,250 | 0.95 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $73,310 | $35.25 | 510 | 0.85 |
| 7 | Vermont | $73,210 | $35.20 | 320 | 1.24 |
| 8 | Washington | $70,460 | $33.88 | 3,490 | 1.15 |
| 9 | Oregon | $68,210 | $32.79 | 2,230 | 1.33 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $66,590 | $32.02 | 2,420 | 0.66 |
Related occupations in Washington
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Washington.
| Occupation | Washington median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $68,910 | $59,350 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $54,770 | $45,930 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,480 | $59,550 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $82,670 | $64,330 |
| Healthcare Social Workers | $78,570 | $67,880 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $64,340 | $56,730 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Washington?
The median annual wage for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington is $70,460, or $33.88 per hour. That is 16.9% above the national median of $60,280.
What is the entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Washington?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $46,790 per year ($22.50/hour). The 25th percentile is $56,050.
How many people work as mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington?
About 3,490 people work in this occupation in Washington, or 1.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Washington a good state for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
Washington ranks #8 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is 1.15x as concentrated as the national average, making Washington a strong market for this occupation.
Which state pays mental health and substance abuse social workers the most?
New York has the highest median wage at $79,380 per year, followed by California ($79,000) and Connecticut ($78,640).