Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Boulder, CO
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $84,450 a year ($40.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,510 for the top 10%. That is 40% higher than the national median of $60,280. Pay here is 29% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $65,620. There are 0.34 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.40). The average (mean) salary is $86,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| 25th percentile | $72,240 | $34.73 |
| Median | $84,450 | $40.60 |
| 75th percentile | $98,520 | $47.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,510 | $58.90 |
| Average (mean) | $86,740 | $41.70 |
Half of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $7,037.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,518.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,248.08 |
| Weekly | $1,624.04 |
| Hourly | $40.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $84,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Junction, CO | $80,030 | 30 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $70,920 | 900 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $68,020 | 110 |
| Pueblo, CO | $65,620 | 200 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $63,860 | 140 |
| Greeley, CO | $49,510 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for mental health and substance abuse social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $79,380 |
| California | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $78,640 |
| Minnesota | $75,020 |
| Maryland | $73,580 |
| District of Columbia | $73,310 |
| Vermont | $73,210 |
| Washington | $70,460 |
| Oregon | $68,210 |
| New Jersey | $66,590 |
See Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $75,020 | $36.07 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $75,030 | $36.07 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $64,660 | $31.09 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $52,830 | $25.40 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $77,820 | $37.41 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $64,250 | $30.89 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $76,290 | $36.68 |
| Community Health Worker | $65,780 | $31.63 |
| Health Education Specialist | $60,070 | $28.88 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,770 | $28.26 |
| Counselors, All Other | $43,050 | $20.70 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,700 | $29.18 |
| Clergy | $68,800 | $33.08 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $84,450 a year, or $40.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $122,510 a year. The top 25% earn $98,520 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,370 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $72,240 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Boulder, CO?
About 70 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.