West Virginia Median
$50,070
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#33 of 51
420 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in West Virginia?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers working in West Virginia earn a median salary of $50,070 per year, or about $24.07 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $60,280 for this occupation.
Within West Virginia, entry-level pay starts around $38,410 while the top 10% make $70,190 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $47,270 and $57,830 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in West Virginia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,410 | $18.47 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $47,270 | $22.73 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,070 | $24.07 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,830 | $27.80 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,190 | $33.75 |
|
How West Virginia compares
West Virginia ranks 33rd 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 $50,770Illinois $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 West Virginia
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 West Virginia pay ($50,070) 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 West Virginia?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in West Virginia is $50,070 per year, or about $24.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,410 at the entry level to $70,190 for the top 10% of earners.
How does West Virginia pay compare to the national average?
West Virginia pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 17% less than the national median of $60,280. West Virginia ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is West Virginia a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,070 a year. About 420 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are employed in West Virginia. 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 West Virginia?
The highest-paying occupations in West Virginia include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($597,740), Emergency Medicine Physician ($491,230), Radiologist ($471,650), 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.