BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island

$76,970 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$37.0 per hour

▲ 13.1% above U.S. average5th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$76,970per year
Median$60,990per year
Hourly$37.0per hour
10th – 90th percentile$42,900 – $135,200per year

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in Rhode Island

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$42,900
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$49,340
  • 50th Percentile — Median$60,990
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$110,210
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$135,200

Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island earn more than $60,990. The top 10% make $135,200 or more, while entry-level workers start around $42,900.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • Rhode Island ranks 5th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $76,970 per year (13.1% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
  • 800 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island — 0.6% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.88: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are more concentrated in Rhode Island than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $42,900; the top 10% earn over $135,200.
  • Hourly equivalent: $37.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
  • Among social services jobs in Rhode Island, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($76,910).

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in Rhode Island

Key factors affecting compensation

Rhode Island's key industries are Healthcare, Education, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated moderate. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $76,970 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 1.15 (U.S. = 1.00), a Rhode Island salary of $76,970 is roughly equivalent to $66,930 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($91,050), New York ($86,110), District of Columbia ($83,340) 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

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Rhode Island?

The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Rhode Island is $76,970 per year (median $60,990), which is 13.1% above the national average of $68,030.

How does Rhode Island rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?

Rhode Island ranks 5th 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 Rhode Island?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island earn about $42,900 per year and the 25th percentile is $49,340.

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Rhode Island?

About $37.0 per hour, based on the $76,970 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in Rhode Island?

BLS counts 800 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in Rhode Island (OEWS May 2025).

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