Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$57,940
- 25th Percentile — Junior$65,360
- 50th Percentile — Median$73,310
- 75th Percentile — Senior$104,170
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$115,500
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in District of Columbia earn more than $73,310. The top 10% make $115,500 or more, while entry-level workers start around $57,940.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $83,340 per year (22.5% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 510 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in District of Columbia — 0.4% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.85: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $57,940; the top 10% earn over $115,500.
- Hourly equivalent: $40.07 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in District of Columbia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($109,310).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $83,340 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $83,340 is roughly equivalent to $54,829 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($91,050), New York ($86,110), Connecticut ($78,250) 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 District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $109,310/yr District of Columbia +31.2% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $93,120/yr District of Columbia +11.7% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $82,700/yr District of Columbia 0.8% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $79,540/yr District of Columbia 4.6% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $69,180/yr District of Columbia 17.0% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $68,810/yr District of Columbia 17.4% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $63,780/yr District of Columbia 23.5% vs this role
- Social and Human Service Assistants $60,770/yr District of Columbia 27.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in District of Columbia?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in District of Columbia is $83,340 per year (median $73,310), which is 22.5% above the national average of $68,030.
How does District of Columbia rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
District of Columbia ranks 3rd 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 District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in District of Columbia earn about $57,940 per year and the 25th percentile is $65,360.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $40.07 per hour, based on the $83,340 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 510 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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