Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $61,920 +3.1% vs national
Median hourly $29.77
10th percentile $46,740
90th percentile $115,640
Employed locally 60
National median $60,060

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

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

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,740
    25th
    $56,470
    50th (median)
    $61,920
    75th
    $82,920
    90th
    $115,640

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 57% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 43% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$83,300
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$58,310
    Social and Human Service Assistants$51,590
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers$61,310
    Rehabilitation Counselors$50,400
    Healthcare Social Workers$93,230

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Santa Cruz, CA is $29.77, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $53.53 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 3.1% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $46,740 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,470.