Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in South Carolina
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,250
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,770
- 50th Percentile — Median$39,930
- 75th Percentile — Senior$49,720
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,970
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Carolina earn more than $39,930. The top 10% make $63,970 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,250.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Carolina: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Carolina ranks 50th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $43,820 per year (35.6% below the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 720 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Carolina — 0.5% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 0.37: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in South Carolina than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,250; the top 10% earn over $63,970.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.07 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in South Carolina, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($70,140).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in South Carolina
Key factors affecting compensation
South Carolina's key industries are Automotive, Tourism, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $43,820 on average, placing the state 50th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Carolina salary of $43,820 is roughly equivalent to $49,795 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($50,000), Nebraska ($45,760), Alabama ($45,480) 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 South Carolina
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $70,140/yr South Carolina +60.1% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $62,020/yr South Carolina +41.5% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $62,000/yr South Carolina +41.5% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $61,000/yr South Carolina +39.2% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $55,880/yr South Carolina +27.5% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $53,860/yr South Carolina +22.9% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $52,540/yr South Carolina +19.9% vs this role
- Social and Human Service Assistants $42,180/yr South Carolina 3.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Carolina?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Carolina is $43,820 per year (median $39,930), which is 35.6% below the national average of $68,030.
How does South Carolina rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
South Carolina ranks 50th 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 South Carolina?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Carolina earn about $30,250 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,770.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in South Carolina?
About $21.07 per hour, based on the $43,820 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in South Carolina?
BLS counts 720 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in South Carolina (OEWS May 2025).
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