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

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

Median annual salary $57,940 -3.5% vs national
Median hourly $27.86
10th percentile $47,010
90th percentile $109,640
Employed locally 40
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
Merced, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,010
    25th
    $50,090
    50th (median)
    $57,940
    75th
    $87,990
    90th
    $109,640

    Merced economic context

    Unemployment rate 9.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,044 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 89% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 11% 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 Merced, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $59,860
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $76,060
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $59,840
    Social and Human Service Assistants $48,840
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $48,920
    Marriage and Family Therapists $73,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Merced, CA is $27.86, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.51 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Merced, CA is 3.5% 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 Merced?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $47,010 per year in Merced, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,090.