Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $68,120 +13.4% vs national
Median hourly $32.75
10th percentile $45,760
90th percentile $85,310
Employed locally 1,040
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
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Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,760
    25th
    $51,820
    50th (median)
    $68,120
    75th
    $77,160
    90th
    $85,310

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 67% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 33% 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
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $89,500
    Grand Junction, CO $80,030
    Connecticut $78,820
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,660
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $77,360
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $59,100
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $65,650
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $59,700
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $65,390
    Healthcare Social Workers $64,260
    Social and Human Service Assistants $48,280

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Denver, CO is $32.75, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $45.96 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Denver, CO is 13.4% 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 Denver?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $45,760 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $51,820.