Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Charlotte, NC-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Median annual salary $56,750 -5.5% vs national
Median hourly $27.28
10th percentile $37,450
90th percentile $71,810
Employed locally 570
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Charlotte, NC-SC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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Charlotte, NC-SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,450
    25th
    $47,000
    50th (median)
    $56,750
    75th
    $63,190
    90th
    $71,810

    Charlotte economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,201 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 71% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 29% 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
    Grand Junction, CO $80,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $70,740
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $67,040
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $66,030

    Related occupations in Charlotte, NC-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$60,670
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,450
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$59,990
    Social and Human Service Assistants$43,740
    Healthcare Social Workers$66,850
    Rehabilitation Counselors$48,020

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Charlotte, NC-SC is $27.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $36.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Charlotte, NC-SC is 5.5% below 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 Charlotte?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $37,450 per year in Charlotte, NC-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $47,000.