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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY

Median annual salary $75,200 +25.2% vs national
Median hourly $36.16
10th percentile $46,760
90th percentile $87,680
Employed locally 580
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
Buffalo, NY
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,760
    25th
    $61,520
    50th (median)
    $75,200
    75th
    $83,990
    90th
    $87,680

    Buffalo economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $70,572 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 107% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 7% 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 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
    Albany, OR $74,980
    Ithaca, NY $73,620

    Related occupations in Buffalo, NY

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants$44,870
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$59,910
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$64,380
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,690
    Healthcare Social Workers$60,410
    Clergy$49,580

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Buffalo, NY is $36.16, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.65 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Buffalo, NY is 25.2% 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 Buffalo?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $46,760 per year in Buffalo, NY. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,520.