Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in New Jersey
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,180
- 25th Percentile — Junior$47,610
- 50th Percentile — Median$66,590
- 75th Percentile — Senior$84,700
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$102,130
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Jersey earn more than $66,590. The top 10% make $102,130 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,180.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Jersey: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New Jersey ranks 13th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $70,930 per year (4.3% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 2,420 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Jersey — 1.8% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.66: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in New Jersey than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,180; the top 10% earn over $102,130.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.1 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in New Jersey, Marriage and Family Therapists pays the most ($90,310).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in New Jersey
Key factors affecting compensation
New Jersey's key industries are Pharmaceuticals, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $70,930 on average, placing the state 13th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.28 (U.S. = 1.00), a New Jersey salary of $70,930 is roughly equivalent to $55,414 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oregon ($73,050), Maryland ($72,980), Virginia ($72,020) 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 New Jersey
Related career salary benchmarks
- Marriage and Family Therapists $90,310/yr New Jersey +27.3% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $85,340/yr New Jersey +20.3% vs this role
- Health Education Specialists $84,800/yr New Jersey +19.6% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $81,430/yr New Jersey +14.8% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $78,560/yr New Jersey +10.8% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $71,360/yr New Jersey +0.6% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $59,500/yr New Jersey 16.1% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $59,410/yr New Jersey 16.2% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New Jersey?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New Jersey is $70,930 per year (median $66,590), which is 4.3% above the national average of $68,030.
How does New Jersey rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
New Jersey ranks 13th 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 New Jersey?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Jersey earn about $45,180 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,610.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in New Jersey?
About $34.1 per hour, based on the $70,930 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in New Jersey?
BLS counts 2,420 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in New Jersey (OEWS May 2025).
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