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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

Median annual salary $78,660 +31% vs national
Median hourly $37.82
10th percentile $54,450
90th percentile $147,870
Employed locally 1,630
National median $60,060

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

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

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

    10th
    $54,450
    25th
    $63,360
    50th (median)
    $78,660
    75th
    $126,460
    90th
    $147,870

    San Francisco economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $133,780 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 59% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 41% 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 Francisco, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $72,950
    Social and Human Service Assistants $57,220
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $71,810
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $100,960
    Marriage and Family Therapists $76,980
    Healthcare Social Workers $103,440

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in San Francisco, CA is $37.82, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $100.00 or more per hour.

    Is San Francisco 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 Francisco, CA is 31% 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 Francisco?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $54,450 per year in San Francisco, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $63,360.