Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Columbia, SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbia, SC

Median annual salary $46,860 -22% vs national
Median hourly $22.53
10th percentile $27,280
90th percentile $59,990
Employed locally 140
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
Columbia, SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,280
    25th
    $36,300
    50th (median)
    $46,860
    75th
    $49,200
    90th
    $59,990

    Columbia economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,146 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
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,660
    Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY $72,910
    South Central Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $62,650
    Northeastern Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $62,310
    Wisconsin $57,590
    Western Wisconsin nonmetropolitan area $56,980

    Related occupations in Columbia, SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$58,990
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$46,490
    Social and Human Service Assistants$37,900
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,150
    Healthcare Social Workers$64,590
    Social Workers, All Other$94,720

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Columbia, SC is $22.53, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $34.45 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Columbia, SC is 22% 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 Columbia?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $27,280 per year in Columbia, SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,300.