Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in California

BLS OEWS May 2025 • 28 metro areas • California

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median salary of $74,829 per year on average across 28 metro and nonmetro areas, +24.6% vs the national median of $60,060. An estimated 17,410 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed across California, with salaries ranging from $51,420 to $116,630 depending on location.

$74,829 Avg median salary in California
$116,630 Highest paying metro
$51,420 Lowest paying metro
17,410 Employed in California

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      Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries by city in California

      Metro area Median salary 25th pct 75th pct Employed
      San Luis Obispo, CA $116,630 $74,470 $145,220 120
      San Jose, CA $102,760 $70,880 $124,540 900
      Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California $101,100 $74,360 $116,630 40
      Vallejo, CA $98,680 $68,700 $125,030 100
      Santa Rosa, CA $93,390 $62,350 $116,670 150
      Hanford, CA $89,500 $61,940 $116,630 70
      Riverside, CA $83,710 $61,560 $119,060 1,490
      San Francisco, CA $78,660 $63,360 $126,460 1,630
      Santa Maria, CA $77,830 $56,290 $87,090 160
      Salinas, CA $77,150 $61,120 $116,630 110
      Los Angeles, CA $74,890 $49,610 $105,020 8,430
      Sacramento, CA $73,950 $57,820 $109,230 1,210
      Bakersfield, CA $73,510 $58,270 $116,630 250
      Stockton, CA $73,150 $55,770 $116,630 150
      Redding, CA $73,110 $52,310 $95,030 80
      San Diego, CA $69,850 $54,620 $98,840 850
      Napa, CA $68,260 $48,890 $154,750 220
      Modesto, CA $67,330 $56,610 $97,780 160
      North Coast Region of California $66,410 $57,700 $87,710 100
      North Valley-Northern Mountains Region of California $64,680 $49,300 $91,520 50
      Oxnard, CA $64,370 $51,040 $98,500 220
      Fresno, CA $62,050 $50,020 $107,640 570
      Santa Cruz, CA $61,920 $56,470 $82,920 60
      Visalia, CA $60,170 $55,530 $109,110 140
      El Centro, CA $58,400 $54,410 $85,240 40
      Merced, CA $57,940 $50,090 $87,990 40
      Yuba City, CA $54,380 $48,370 $63,400 30
      Chico, CA $51,420 $46,500 $79,640 40

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