Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Albany, NY

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY

Median annual salary $72,910 +21.4% vs national
Median hourly $35.05
10th percentile $42,920
90th percentile $98,100
Employed locally 540
National median $60,060

Compare Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary & buying power

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Albany, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $42,920
    25th
    $57,670
    50th (median)
    $72,910
    75th
    $88,060
    90th
    $98,100

    Albany economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,072 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 85% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 15% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Cheyenne, WY $118,900
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $116,630
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Las Cruces, NM $97,490

    Nearby metros — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Elmira, NY $87,530
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,490
    Kiryas Joel-Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY $79,170
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $75,200
    Albany, OR $74,980

    Related occupations in Albany, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants$44,550
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$65,260
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$62,090
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,500
    Healthcare Social Workers$61,700
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$69,400

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Albany, NY is $35.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $48.48 or more per hour.

    Is Albany above or below average for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries?

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Albany, NY is 21.4% above the national median of $60,060. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Albany?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $42,920 per year in Albany, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $57,670.