Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary
in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
- Middle 50%
- $65,360–$98,690
- vs U.S. median
- +30%
- Metro rank
- #12 of 118
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro earn a median of $78,210 a year, based on BLS estimates for 2,180 jobs (May 2025). That is 30% above the U.S. median of $60,280 and 7% above the DC statewide median of $73,310. It ranks #12 of 118 metros with published figures for this job.
- SOURCEBLS OEWS, May 2025
- SAMPLE2,180 jobs (estimate)
- SCOPEall employers, all experience levels
- PERIODMay 2025 estimates
Full percentile breakdown
BLS · metro vs U.S.
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Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Washington?
The BLS median is $78,210 a year (May 2025). Half of the 2,180 jobs pay between $65,360 and $98,690. The 10th percentile is $56,810 and the 90th is $119,720.
Is Washington a high-paying metro for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
That is 30% above the U.S. median of $60,280 and 7% above the DC statewide median of $73,310. It ranks #12 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 Washington?
About $37.60 an hour at the median (the BLS annual figure of $78,210 divided by 2,080 hours, the conversion BLS uses). The middle half earn about $31.42–$47.45 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.