North Carolina Median
$58,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#24 of 51
3,690 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in North Carolina?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $58,210 per year, or about $27.99 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $38,970 while the top 10% make $79,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,150 and $67,460 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,970 | $18.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,210 | $27.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $67,460 | $32.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,720 | $38.33 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 24th 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 $65,640Colorado $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 $58,590Maine $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($58,210) 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 North Carolina?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in North Carolina is $58,210 per year, or about $27.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,970 at the entry level to $79,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 3% less than the national median of $60,280. North Carolina ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,210 a year. About 3,690 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.