Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in Virginia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$48,530
- 25th Percentile — Junior$53,620
- 50th Percentile — Median$64,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$80,390
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$102,480
Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Virginia earn more than $64,240. The top 10% make $102,480 or more, while entry-level workers start around $48,530.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Virginia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Virginia ranks 11th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $72,020 per year (5.9% above the U.S. average of $68,030).
- 3,670 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Virginia — 2.8% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.04: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are more concentrated in Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $48,530; the top 10% earn over $102,480.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.62 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
- Among social services jobs in Virginia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($75,640).
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in Virginia
Key factors affecting compensation
Virginia's key industries are Government, Technology, Defense, and its job market is rated very strong. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $72,020 on average, placing the state 11th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Virginia salary of $72,020 is roughly equivalent to $65,473 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Hampshire ($75,280), Minnesota ($74,420), Oregon ($73,050) 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 Virginia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Health Education Specialists $75,640/yr Virginia +5.0% vs this role
- Marriage and Family Therapists $74,850/yr Virginia +3.9% vs this role
- Educational Guidance and Career Counselors $71,920/yr Virginia 0.1% vs this role
- Healthcare Social Workers $69,390/yr Virginia 3.7% vs this role
- Child Family and School Social Workers $66,500/yr Virginia 7.7% vs this role
- Mental Health Counselors $65,430/yr Virginia 9.2% vs this role
- Rehabilitation Counselors $56,260/yr Virginia 21.9% vs this role
- Community Health Workers $54,280/yr Virginia 24.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Virginia?
The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Virginia is $72,020 per year (median $64,240), which is 5.9% above the national average of $68,030.
How does Virginia rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?
Virginia ranks 11th 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 Virginia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Virginia earn about $48,530 per year and the 25th percentile is $53,620.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Virginia?
About $34.62 per hour, based on the $72,020 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in Virginia?
BLS counts 3,670 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in Virginia (OEWS May 2025).
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