Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC

Median annual salary $61,340 +2.1% vs national
Median hourly $29.49
10th percentile $46,920
90th percentile $97,910
Employed locally 570
National median $60,060

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

Type a city below to see how Virginia Beach, VA-NC stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
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Virginia Beach, VA-NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,920
    25th
    $49,350
    50th (median)
    $61,340
    75th
    $75,130
    90th
    $97,910

    Virginia Beach economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $80,533 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 76% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 24% 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 Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $102,760
    Vallejo, CA $98,680
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $77,600
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $70,740
    Corvallis, OR $68,050

    Related occupations in Virginia Beach, VA-NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $57,570
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $66,520
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $60,190
    Social and Human Service Assistants $40,370
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $57,830
    Rehabilitation Counselors $36,250

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in Virginia Beach?

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is $29.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $62.67 or more per hour.

    Is Virginia Beach above or below average for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salaries?

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Virginia Beach, VA-NC is 2.1% 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 Virginia Beach?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $46,920 per year in Virginia Beach, VA-NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,350.