New Jersey Median
$66,590
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#10 of 51
2,420 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in New Jersey?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Jersey take home a median of $66,590 annually — roughly $32.01 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $60,280.
Within New Jersey, entry-level pay starts around $45,180 while the top 10% make $102,130 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,610 and $84,700 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in New Jersey
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,180 | $21.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,610 | $22.89 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $66,590 | $32.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,700 | $40.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,130 | $49.10 |
|
How New Jersey compares
New Jersey ranks 10th 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 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 New Jersey
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 New Jersey pay ($66,590) 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 New Jersey?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New Jersey is $66,590 per year, or about $32.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,180 at the entry level to $102,130 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Jersey pay compare to the national average?
New Jersey pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 10% more than the national median of $60,280. New Jersey ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Jersey a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Yes on pay — New Jersey pays above the national median for this occupation, at $66,590 a year. About 2,420 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in New Jersey. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Jersey?
The highest-paying occupations in New Jersey include Radiologist ($482,700), Surgeon, All Other ($437,890), Physician, Pathologists ($355,970), 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.