Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,100
- 25th Percentile — Junior$55,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$65,620
- 75th Percentile — Senior$80,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,950
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado earn more than $65,620. The top 10% make $95,950 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,100.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 16th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $69,200 per year (1.7% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 1,640 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado — 1.2% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.67: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,100; the top 10% earn over $95,950.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.27 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in Colorado, Marriage and Family Therapists pays the most ($80,100).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $69,200 on average, placing the state 16th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $69,200 is roughly equivalent to $62,909 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Washington ($71,710), New Jersey ($70,930), New Mexico ($69,720) are the closest alternatives for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Social Services Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- Marriage and Family Therapists $80,100/yr Colorado +15.8% vs this role
- Health Education Specialists $77,470/yr Colorado +12.0% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $70,760/yr Colorado +2.3% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $69,860/yr Colorado +1.0% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $69,470/yr Colorado +0.4% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $67,170/yr Colorado 2.9% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $59,540/yr Colorado 14.0% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $56,410/yr Colorado 18.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Colorado?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Colorado is $69,200 per year (median $65,620), which is 1.7% above the national average of $68,030.
How does Colorado rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
Colorado ranks 16th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($91,050/yr).
How much do entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado earn about $47,100 per year and the 25th percentile is $55,770.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Colorado?
About $33.27 per hour, based on the $69,200 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in Colorado?
BLS counts 1,640 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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