Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Bellingham, WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Bellingham, WA

Median annual salary $76,180 +26.8% vs national
Median hourly $36.62
10th percentile $39,280
90th percentile $102,120
Employed locally 60
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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Bellingham, WA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $39,280
    25th
    $51,530
    50th (median)
    $76,180
    75th
    $84,180
    90th
    $102,120

    Bellingham economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,989 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 94% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 6% 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
    Waterbury-Shelton, CT $84,150
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,490
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,360
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $75,200

    Related occupations in Bellingham, WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $62,290
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $71,250
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $72,480
    Healthcare Social Workers $74,110
    Social and Human Service Assistants $53,290
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $58,930

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Bellingham, WA is $36.62, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.13 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Bellingham, WA is 26.8% 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 Bellingham?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $39,280 per year in Bellingham, WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,530.