Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary in New Mexico (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Mexico, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
New Mexico Median
$65,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+9% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#11 of 51
800 employed here

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in New Mexico?

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Mexico take home a median of $65,640 annually — roughly $31.56 an hour — which runs 9% above the national median of $60,280.

Within New Mexico, entry-level pay starts around $36,700 while the top 10% make $114,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,860 and $86,150 a year.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in New Mexico

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$36,700$17.64
25th percentile (early career)$44,860$21.57
50th percentile (median)$65,640$31.56
75th percentile (experienced)$86,150$41.42
90th percentile (top earners)$114,170$54.89

How New Mexico compares

New Mexico ranks 11th out of 51 states and territories for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1New York$79,380
2California$79,000
3Connecticut$78,640
4Minnesota$75,020
5Maryland$73,580

Working as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in New Mexico

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 Mexico pay ($65,640) 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 Mexico?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in New Mexico is $65,640 per year, or about $31.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,700 at the entry level to $114,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does New Mexico pay compare to the national average?
New Mexico pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 9% more than the national median of $60,280. New Mexico ranks 11th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is New Mexico a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Yes on pay — New Mexico pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,640 a year. About 800 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in New Mexico. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in New Mexico?
The highest-paying occupations in New Mexico include Emergency Medicine Physician ($405,130), Anesthesiologist ($393,970), Surgeon, All Other ($363,940), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary report

Related salaries

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$56,730
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$45,930
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Rehabilitation Counselor

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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.