Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Riverside, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA

Median annual salary $83,710 +39.4% vs national
Median hourly $40.24
10th percentile $47,620
90th percentile $140,570
Employed locally 1,490
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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Riverside, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $47,620
    25th
    $61,560
    50th (median)
    $83,710
    75th
    $119,060
    90th
    $140,570

    Riverside economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $86,031 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 97% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 3% 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
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $93,390
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $89,500

    Related occupations in Riverside, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$64,270
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$60,860
    Social and Human Service Assistants$47,350
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$99,540
    Marriage and Family Therapists$60,780
    Healthcare Social Workers$92,790

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Riverside, CA is $40.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $68.41 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Riverside, CA is 39.4% 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 Riverside?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $47,620 per year in Riverside, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $61,560.