Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Bakersfield, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bakersfield-Delano, CA

Median annual salary $73,510 +22.4% vs national
Median hourly $35.34
10th percentile $47,760
90th percentile $119,330
Employed locally 250
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
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Bakersfield, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,760
    25th
    $58,270
    50th (median)
    $73,510
    75th
    $116,630
    90th
    $119,330

    Bakersfield economic context

    Unemployment rate 8.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $67,660 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 109% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 9% above 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 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
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $93,390
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $89,500

    Related occupations in Bakersfield, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $59,520
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $57,940
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $96,270
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $92,880
    Marriage and Family Therapists $73,420
    Healthcare Social Workers $84,940

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Bakersfield, CA is $35.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.91 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Bakersfield, CA is 22.4% 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 Bakersfield?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $47,760 per year in Bakersfield, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $58,270.