Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in North Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,970
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,150
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,210
- 75th Percentile — Senior$67,460
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$79,720
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in North Carolina earn more than $58,210. The top 10% make $79,720 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,970.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in North Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- North Carolina ranks 30th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $59,880 per year (12.0% below the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 3,690 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in North Carolina — 2.8% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.87: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in North Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,970; the top 10% earn over $79,720.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.79 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in North Carolina, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($65,570).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in North Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
North Carolina's key industries are Technology, Finance, Agriculture, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $59,880 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.91 (U.S. = 1.00), a North Carolina salary of $59,880 is roughly equivalent to $65,802 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Delaware ($62,090), Idaho ($60,720), Alaska ($60,380) 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 North Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $65,570/yr North Carolina +9.5% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $64,720/yr North Carolina +8.1% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $59,660/yr North Carolina 0.4% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $59,160/yr North Carolina 1.2% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $57,090/yr North Carolina 4.7% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $56,710/yr North Carolina 5.3% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $50,160/yr North Carolina 16.2% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $45,010/yr North Carolina 24.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in North Carolina?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in North Carolina is $59,880 per year (median $58,210), which is 12.0% below the national average of $68,030.
How does North Carolina rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
North Carolina ranks 30th 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 North Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in North Carolina earn about $38,970 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,150.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in North Carolina?
About $28.79 per hour, based on the $59,880 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in North Carolina?
BLS counts 3,690 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in North Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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