Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Richmond, VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Richmond, VA

Median annual salary $61,720 +2.8% vs national
Median hourly $29.67
10th percentile $48,430
90th percentile $85,590
Employed locally 740
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
Richmond, VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $48,430
    25th
    $50,850
    50th (median)
    $61,720
    75th
    $76,410
    90th
    $85,590

    Richmond economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $84,405 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 73% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 27% 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
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $70,740
    Corvallis, OR $68,050

    Related occupations in Richmond, VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$56,850
    Social and Human Service Assistants$43,960
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$68,630
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$60,430
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$74,890
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$59,690

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Richmond, VA is $29.67, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Richmond, VA is 2.8% 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 Richmond?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $48,430 per year in Richmond, VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,850.