BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in West Virginia

$52,000 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$25.0 per hour

▼ 23.6% below U.S. average41st of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$52,000per year
Median$50,070per year
Hourly$25.0per hour
10th – 90th percentile$38,410 – $70,190per year

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in West Virginia

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,410
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$47,270
  • 50th Percentile — Median$50,070
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$57,830
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$70,190

Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in West Virginia earn more than $50,070. The top 10% make $70,190 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,410.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in West Virginia: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • West Virginia ranks 41st of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $52,000 per year (23.6% below the U.S. average of $68,030).
  • 420 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in West Virginia — 0.3% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.70: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in West Virginia than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,410; the top 10% earn over $70,190.
  • Hourly equivalent: $25.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
  • Among social services jobs in West Virginia, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($70,710).

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Job Market in West Virginia

Key factors affecting compensation

West Virginia's key industries are Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, and its job market is rated low. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $52,000 on average, placing the state 41st nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.78 (U.S. = 1.00), a West Virginia salary of $52,000 is roughly equivalent to $66,667 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Texas ($53,450), South Dakota ($53,400), Pennsylvania ($52,850) 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 West Virginia?

The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in West Virginia is $52,000 per year (median $50,070), which is 23.6% below the national average of $68,030.

How does West Virginia rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?

West Virginia ranks 41st 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 West Virginia?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in West Virginia earn about $38,410 per year and the 25th percentile is $47,270.

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in West Virginia?

About $25.0 per hour, based on the $52,000 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in West Virginia?

BLS counts 420 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in West Virginia (OEWS May 2025).

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