Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary
in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
- Middle 50%
- $57,740–$106,270
- vs U.S. median
- +25%
- Metro rank
- #15 of 118
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro earn a median of $75,570 a year, based on BLS estimates for 1,030 jobs (May 2025). That is 25% above the U.S. median of $60,280 and 4% below the CA statewide median of $79,000. It ranks #15 of 118 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE1,030 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in other CA metros
8 metros · BLS
| Metro | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $109,050 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $87,550 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $87,370 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $83,150 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $78,410 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $77,500 |
| Napa, CA | $68,830 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $64,990 |
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RELATED JOBS IN SAN DIEGO
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselorsmedian $57,660 · 6,500 jobs
- Social and Human Service Assistantsmedian $49,500 · 6,400 jobs
- Child, Family, and School Social Workersmedian $59,770 · 3,820 jobs
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisorsmedian $83,520 · 3,900 jobs
- Healthcare Social Workersmedian $82,630 · 1,440 jobs
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Othermedian $57,200 · 1,020 jobs
- Rehabilitation Counselorsmedian $45,700 · 1,100 jobs
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialistsmedian $77,230 · 1,100 jobs
Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in San Diego?
The BLS median is $75,570 a year (May 2025). Half of the 1,030 jobs pay between $57,740 and $106,270. The 10th percentile is $50,010 and the 90th is $130,620.
Is San Diego a high-paying metro for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
That is 25% above the U.S. median of $60,280 and 4% below the CA statewide median of $79,000. It ranks #15 of 118 U.S. metros with published BLS figures for this job.
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make an hour in San Diego?
About $36.33 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $75,570 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $27.76–$51.09 an hour. Straight-time pay, before overtime and shift differentials.
Does this include experience levels?
BLS figures cover all experience levels together. Employer filings carry a DOL wage level, which the free checker can filter by (approximate).
Sources: U.S. BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (national + state) (metro area estimates, all employers); employer rows from U.S. DOL OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026 Q3 (LCA_Disclosure_Data_FY2026_Q3.xlsx). Base pay only. Estimates can have sampling error, especially for smaller metros.