District of Columbia Median
$73,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$35.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#6 of 51
510 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in District of Columbia?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $73,310 per year, or about $35.25 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $57,940 while the top 10% make $115,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $65,360 and $104,170 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $57,940 | $27.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $65,360 | $31.42 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $73,310 | $35.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,170 | $50.08 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $115,500 | $55.53 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 6th 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 $73,580Vermont $73,210Washington $70,460Oregon $68,210New Jersey $66,590New Mexico $65,640Colorado $65,620Virginia $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 District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia pay ($73,310) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in District of Columbia is $73,310 per year, or about $35.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $57,940 at the entry level to $115,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 22% more than the national median of $60,280. District of Columbia ranks 6th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $73,310 a year. About 510 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), 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.