Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $69,850 +16.3% vs national
Median hourly $33.58
10th percentile $46,100
90th percentile $121,630
Employed locally 850
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,100
    25th
    $54,620
    50th (median)
    $69,850
    75th
    $98,840
    90th
    $121,630

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 68% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 32% 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 San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Social and Human Service Assistants $52,910
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $58,690
    Marriage and Family Therapists $48,950
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $61,420
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $82,830
    Healthcare Social Workers $83,120

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in San Diego, CA is $33.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.80 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in San Diego, CA is 16.3% 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 San Diego?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $46,100 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $54,620.