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

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA

Median annual salary $77,830 +29.6% vs national
Median hourly $37.42
10th percentile $49,680
90th percentile $137,550
Employed locally 160
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
Santa Maria, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $49,680
    25th
    $56,290
    50th (median)
    $77,830
    75th
    $87,090
    90th
    $137,550

    Santa Maria economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $95,977 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 81% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 19% 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 Maria, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $72,380
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $84,660
    Social and Human Service Assistants $54,170
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $59,020
    Marriage and Family Therapists $72,150
    Rehabilitation Counselors $45,610

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Santa Maria, CA is $37.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $70.05 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Maria 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 Maria, CA is 29.6% 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 Maria?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $49,680 per year in Santa Maria, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $56,290.