Colorado Median
$65,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#12 of 51
1,640 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Colorado?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado take home a median of $65,620 annually — roughly $31.55 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $60,280.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $47,100 while the top 10% make $95,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,770 and $80,990 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,100 | $22.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,770 | $26.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,620 | $31.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $80,990 | $38.94 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,950 | $46.13 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in other states
New York $79,380California $79,000Connecticut $78,640Minnesota $75,020Maryland $73,580District of Columbia $73,310Vermont $73,210Washington $70,460Oregon $68,210New Jersey $66,590New Mexico $65,640Virginia $64,240New Hampshire $63,900Nevada $62,900Massachusetts $62,500Wisconsin $61,860Rhode Island $60,990North Dakota $60,980Michigan $60,830Delaware $60,060Wyoming $59,310Arkansas $58,590North Carolina $58,210Maine $57,050Alaska $56,710Kansas $56,330Hawaii $54,390Idaho $52,520Georgia $52,030Florida $51,590Utah $50,770West Virginia $50,070Illinois $49,960Missouri $49,560Mississippi $48,970South Dakota $48,920Iowa $48,530Indiana $48,300Pennsylvania $48,290Louisiana $47,100Texas $46,630Tennessee $46,500Arizona $46,380Ohio $46,080Montana $45,160Nebraska $43,240Oklahoma $43,120Kentucky $42,570Alabama $41,500South Carolina $39,930
Working as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Colorado
Nationally, about 133,000 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($65,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Colorado?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Colorado is $65,620 per year, or about $31.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,100 at the entry level to $95,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 9% more than the national median of $60,280. Colorado ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,620 a year. About 1,640 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.