Washington ranks 10th of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $11,170 — a 16% gap.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are more concentrated in Washington than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.21 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.21× the national share.
Washington employs roughly 2.8% of all mental health and substance abuse social workers in the country (3,490 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $45,000 | $21.64 |
| 25th percentile | $56,220 | $27.03 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,060 | $33.20 |
| 75th percentile | $84,180 | $40.47 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,430 | $50.21 |
| Mean (average) | $71,660 | $34.45 |
How Washington Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Washington |
|---|---|---|
| Washington (current) | $69,060 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +16% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +14% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +12% |
| California | $75,320 | +9% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +5% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +4% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +2% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +2% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Washington
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers | $69,060 | 1,760 |
| Glaziers | $68,900 | 1,750 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $68,650 | 7,740 |
| Computer User Support Specialists | $68,640 | 20,450 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $69,620 | 1,620 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,800 | 3,840 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Washington?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Washington is $71,660 per year. The median (middle) salary is $69,060 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in Washington typically earn around $45,000 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $56,220 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Washington?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Washington make approximately $104,430 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $84,180 per year.
How does the Washington Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in Washington is $69,060, which is +15% above national average of $60,060.