Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD

Median annual salary $55,830 -7% vs national
Median hourly $26.84
10th percentile $40,000
90th percentile $82,340
Employed locally 2,420
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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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,000
    25th
    $46,430
    50th (median)
    $55,830
    75th
    $74,540
    90th
    $82,340

    Philadelphia economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $89,273 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 63% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 37% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $77,540
    Napa, CA $68,260
    Grants Pass, OR $64,130
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $60,510
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $58,090

    Related occupations in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $59,990
    Social and Human Service Assistants $45,080
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $57,580
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $66,940
    Healthcare Social Workers $71,220
    Marriage and Family Therapists $80,090

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is $26.84, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.04 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD is 7% 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 Philadelphia?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $40,000 per year in Philadelphia, PA-NJ-DE-MD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $46,430.