Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Reading, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Reading, PA

Median annual salary $47,270 -21.3% vs national

Median hourly $22.73

10th percentile $39,320

90th percentile $70,880

Employed locally 120

National median $60,060

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Reading, PA

Salary percentile breakdown

10th

$39,320

25th

$41,990

50th (median)

$47,270

75th

$57,770

90th

$70,880

Reading economic context

Unemployment rate 3.70% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS

Median household income $77,684 2023 • Census ACS

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 61% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 39% below the area median household income

Top-paying metros for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Metro area	Median 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 area	Median 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

Occupation	Median salary
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$55,840
Social and Human Service Assistants	$45,470
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$50,380
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$61,400
Healthcare Social Workers	$62,220
Marriage and Family Therapists	$67,020

Frequently asked questions

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

The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Reading, PA is $22.73, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $30.13 or more per hour.

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

The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Reading, PA is 21.3% 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 Reading?

Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $39,320 per year in Reading, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $41,990.