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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

Median annual salary $102,760 +71.1% vs national
Median hourly $49.40
10th percentile $60,950
90th percentile $160,110
Employed locally 900
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
San Jose, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $60,950
    25th
    $70,880
    50th (median)
    $102,760
    75th
    $124,540
    90th
    $160,110

    San Jose economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $157,444 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 65% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 35% 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
    Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area $101,100
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Las Cruces, NM $97,490
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $93,390

    Nearby metros — Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA $116,630
    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
    Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA $83,710

    Related occupations in San Jose, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $74,670
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $99,570
    Social and Human Service Assistants $59,230
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $78,700
    Marriage and Family Therapists $88,950
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $66,060

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in San Jose, CA is $49.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $98.00 or more per hour.

    Is San Jose 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 Jose, CA is 71.1% 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 Jose?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $60,950 per year in San Jose, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $70,880.