Louisiana ranks 45th of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $36,180 — a 82% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $30,220 to $72,560 — a $42,340 spread, 34% tighter than the national $64,510 range.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are less concentrated in Louisiana than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.63 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.59× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $30,220 | $14.53 |
| 25th percentile | $34,120 | $16.40 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,050 | $21.18 |
| 75th percentile | $62,480 | $30.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $72,560 | $34.88 |
| Mean (average) | $50,380 | $24.22 |
How Louisiana Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Louisiana |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana (current) | $44,050 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +82% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +79% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +75% |
| California | $75,320 | +71% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +65% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +63% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +60% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +60% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Louisiana
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Court, Municipal, and License Clerks | $44,120 | 2,200 |
| Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping | $43,930 | 790 |
| Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters | $43,920 | 390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services | $43,900 | 560 |
| Medical Records Specialists | $43,820 | 2,830 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $43,700 | 4,050 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Louisiana?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Louisiana is $50,380 per year. The median (middle) salary is $44,050 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Louisiana?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in Louisiana typically earn around $30,220 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $34,120 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Louisiana?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Louisiana make approximately $72,560 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $62,480 per year.
How does the Louisiana Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Louisiana is $44,050, which is -27% below national average of $60,060.