Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Durham, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Durham-Chapel Hill, NC

Median annual salary $66,030 +9.9% vs national
Median hourly $31.74
10th percentile $38,530
90th percentile $132,950
Employed locally 280
National median $60,060

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

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

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Durham, NC
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,530
    25th
    $56,850
    50th (median)
    $66,030
    75th
    $81,620
    90th
    $132,950

    Durham economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $81,017 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 82% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 18% 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
    Anchorage, AK $64,940

    Related occupations in Durham, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$60,710
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$60,360
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,590
    Social and Human Service Assistants$43,890
    Healthcare Social Workers$77,460
    Health Education Specialists$76,380

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Durham, NC is $31.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.65 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Durham, NC is 9.9% 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 Durham?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $38,530 per year in Durham, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,850.