Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in New York
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$54,650
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,430
- 50th Percentile — Median$79,380
- 75th Percentile — Senior$95,520
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$122,340
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New York earn more than $79,380. The top 10% make $122,340 or more, while entry-level workers start around $54,650.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New York: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- New York ranks 2nd of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $86,110 per year (26.6% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 14,820 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New York — 11.2% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.79: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are more concentrated in New York than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $54,650; the top 10% earn over $122,340.
- Hourly equivalent: $41.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in New York, Educational Guidance and Career Counselors pays the most ($77,210).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in New York
Key factors affecting compensation
New York's key industries are Finance, Technology, Media, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $86,110 on average, placing the state 2nd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.38 (U.S. = 1.00), a New York salary of $86,110 is roughly equivalent to $62,399 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($91,050), District of Columbia ($83,340), 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 New York
Related career salary benchmarks
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $77,210/yr New York 10.3% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $75,170/yr New York 12.7% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $72,150/yr New York 16.2% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $67,260/yr New York 21.9% vs this role
- Health Education Specialists $67,030/yr New York 22.2% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $64,040/yr New York 25.6% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $62,140/yr New York 27.8% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $52,370/yr New York 39.2% 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 York?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New York is $86,110 per year (median $79,380), which is 26.6% above the national average of $68,030.
How does New York rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
New York ranks 2nd 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 York?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New York earn about $54,650 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,430.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in New York?
About $41.4 per hour, based on the $86,110 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in New York?
BLS counts 14,820 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in New York (OEWS May 2025).
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