Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in State College, PA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • State College, PA

Median annual salary $43,680 -27.3% vs national
Median hourly $21.00
10th percentile $30,710
90th percentile $74,180
Employed locally 50
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
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State College, PA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,710
    25th
    $30,710
    50th (median)
    $43,680
    75th
    $53,700
    90th
    $74,180

    State College economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $72,748 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 60% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 40% 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
    Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI $77,540
    Napa, CA $68,260
    Grants Pass, OR $64,130
    Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ $60,510
    Champaign-Urbana, IL $58,090

    Related occupations in State College, PA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $69,070
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $55,600
    Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other $87,960
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $45,200
    Social and Human Service Assistants $41,370
    Healthcare Social Workers $65,640

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in State College?

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in State College, PA is $21.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $35.67 or more per hour.

    Is State College above or below average for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries?

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in State College, PA is 27.3% below 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 State College?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $30,710 per year in State College, PA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,710.