Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in Wilmington, NC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Wilmington, NC

Median annual salary $60,860 +1.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.26
10th percentile $40,740
90th percentile $69,370
Employed locally 200
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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Wilmington, NC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,740
    25th
    $43,780
    50th (median)
    $60,860
    75th
    $60,870
    90th
    $69,370

    Wilmington economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $73,687 2023 • Census ACS
    Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary vs area income 83% Median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary is 17% 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
    Grand Junction, CO $80,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $78,660
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $77,260
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $70,740
    Trenton-Princeton, NJ $67,040
    Durham-Chapel Hill, NC $66,030

    Related occupations in Wilmington, NC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors $49,410
    Child, Family, and School Social Workers $62,350
    Social and Human Service Assistants $48,000
    Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors $56,930
    Healthcare Social Workers $61,820
    Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists $57,820

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Wilmington, NC is $29.26, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.34 or more per hour.

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

    The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Wilmington, NC is 1.3% 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 Wilmington?

    Entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers (10th percentile) earn around $40,740 per year in Wilmington, NC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $43,780.