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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chico, CA

Median annual salary $51,420 -14.4% vs national
Median hourly $24.72
10th percentile $44,750
90th percentile $120,750
Employed locally 40
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Chico, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Chico, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $44,750
    25th
    $46,500
    50th (median)
    $51,420
    75th
    $79,640
    90th
    $120,750

    Chico economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,574 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 75% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 25% 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
    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 Chico, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $62,420
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $63,320
    Social and Human Service Assistants $48,190
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $93,890
    Health Education Specialists $56,950
    Marriage and Family Therapists $70,000

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Chico, CA is $24.72, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.14 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Chico, CA is 14.4% 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 Chico?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $44,750 per year in Chico, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,500.