Colorado ranks 13th of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $15,150 — a 23% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $46,350 to $85,310 — a $38,960 spread, 40% tighter than the national $64,510 range.
Colorado employs roughly 1.6% of all mental health and substance abuse social workers in the country (1,980 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $46,350 | $22.28 |
| 25th percentile | $51,820 | $24.91 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,080 | $31.29 |
| 75th percentile | $76,840 | $36.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,310 | $41.01 |
| Mean (average) | $65,530 | $31.51 |
How Colorado Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (current) | $65,080 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +23% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +21% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +18% |
| California | $75,320 | +16% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +12% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +10% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +8% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +8% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Colorado
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,140 | 12,510 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $65,180 | 1,070 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $64,980 | 2,130 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,890 | 810 |
| Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents | $64,730 | 570 |
| Paramedics | $64,690 | 2,350 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Colorado?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Colorado is $65,530 per year. The median (middle) salary is $65,080 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in Colorado typically earn around $46,350 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $51,820 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Colorado?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Colorado make approximately $85,310 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $76,840 per year.
How does the Colorado Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Colorado is $65,080, which is +8% above national average of $60,060.