Washington Median
$70,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#8 of 51
3,490 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in Washington?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington take home a median of $70,460 annually — roughly $33.88 an hour — which runs 17% above the national median of $60,280.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $46,790 while the top 10% make $102,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $56,050 and $84,500 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,790 | $22.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $56,050 | $26.95 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $70,460 | $33.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $84,500 | $40.63 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,680 | $49.37 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 8th 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 $73,210Oregon $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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($70,460) 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 Washington?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Washington is $70,460 per year, or about $33.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,790 at the entry level to $102,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 17% more than the national median of $60,280. Washington ranks 8th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $70,460 a year. About 3,490 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.