North Carolina ranks 25th of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $23,500 — a 41% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $37,670 to $78,230 — a $40,560 spread, 37% tighter than the national $64,510 range.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are less concentrated in North Carolina than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.67 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.49× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $37,670 | $18.11 |
| 25th percentile | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| 75th percentile | $64,180 | $30.86 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,230 | $37.61 |
| Mean (average) | $58,300 | $28.03 |
How North Carolina Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. North Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina (current) | $56,730 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +41% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +39% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +36% |
| California | $75,320 | +33% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +28% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +27% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +24% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +24% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in North Carolina
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $56,950 | 2,220 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $56,470 | 8,930 |
| Advertising Sales Agents | $57,050 | 2,200 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $57,100 | 9,630 |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $57,110 | 19,540 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $56,330 | 4,640 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in North Carolina?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in North Carolina is $58,300 per year. The median (middle) salary is $56,730 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in North Carolina?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in North Carolina typically earn around $37,670 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $46,890 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in North Carolina?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in North Carolina make approximately $78,230 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $64,180 per year.
How does the North Carolina Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in North Carolina is $56,730, which is -6% below national average of $60,060.