Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in New Orleans, LA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • New Orleans-Metairie, LA

Median annual salary $48,910 -18.6% vs national
Median hourly $23.52
10th percentile $30,220
90th percentile $85,480
Employed locally 140
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how New Orleans, LA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
New Orleans, LA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,220
    25th
    $36,470
    50th (median)
    $48,910
    75th
    $58,520
    90th
    $85,480

    New Orleans economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,271 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 79% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 21% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Las Cruces, NM $97,490
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Bakersfield-Delano, CA $73,510
    Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA $72,360

    Related occupations in New Orleans, LA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $41,020
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $43,050
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $61,670
    Social and Human Service Assistants $34,960
    Healthcare Social Workers $67,380
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,130

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Orleans, LA is $23.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.26 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New Orleans, LA is 18.6% 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 New Orleans?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $30,220 per year in New Orleans, LA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $36,470.