South Carolina Median
$39,930
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-34% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#51 of 51
720 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in South Carolina?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $39,930 per year, or about $19.20 per hour. That is 34% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.
Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $30,250 while the top 10% make $63,970 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,770 and $49,720 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in South Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,250 | $14.54 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,770 | $16.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,930 | $19.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,720 | $23.90 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,970 | $30.75 |
|
How South Carolina compares
South Carolina ranks 51st 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 $58,590North 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 $41,500
Working as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South 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 South Carolina pay ($39,930) 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 South Carolina?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Carolina is $39,930 per year, or about $19.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,250 at the entry level to $63,970 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 34% less than the national median of $60,280. South Carolina ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,930 a year. About 720 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), 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.