Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Portland, OR-WA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA

Median annual salary $77,260 +28.6% vs national
Median hourly $37.15
10th percentile $49,280
90th percentile $114,270
Employed locally 1,150
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Portland, OR-WA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Portland, OR-WA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,280
    25th
    $59,690
    50th (median)
    $77,260
    75th
    $87,110
    90th
    $114,270

    Portland economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $94,573 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
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $89,500
    New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ $83,490
    Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT $82,440
    Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT $80,490
    New York $80,230

    Related occupations in Portland, OR-WA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $50,350
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $64,130
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $71,530
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $80,490
    Clergy $76,760
    Healthcare Social Workers $84,930

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Portland, OR-WA is $37.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $47.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Portland, OR-WA is 28.6% 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 Portland?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $49,280 per year in Portland, OR-WA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $59,690.