Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Delaware
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Delaware earn a median of $60,060 a year ($28.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,210 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,280. Delaware ranks 21st of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. There are 1.0 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,090, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Delaware
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,550 | $22.86 |
| 25th percentile | $51,230 | $24.63 |
| Median | $60,060 | $28.88 |
| 75th percentile | $68,090 | $32.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,210 | $39.04 |
| Average (mean) | $62,090 | $29.85 |
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 | $5,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,502.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,310 |
| Weekly | $1,155 |
| Hourly | $28.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in Delaware at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in cities in Delaware
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Dover, DE | $58,670 | 110 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $54,510 | 2,140 |
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.
Related jobs in Delaware
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $74,070 | $35.61 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $56,020 | $26.93 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $48,520 | $23.33 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $76,580 | $36.82 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $81,880 | $39.37 |
| Health Education Specialist | $63,300 | $30.43 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $48,840 | $23.48 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $53,640 | $25.79 |
| Community Health Worker | $55,850 | $26.85 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $93,250 | $44.83 |
| Counselors, All Other | $48,990 | $23.55 |
| Clergy | $63,260 | $30.41 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Delaware
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 Delaware?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Delaware is $60,060 a year, or $28.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,550 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,210 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Delaware?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Delaware earn at least $81,210 a year. The top 25% earn $68,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Delaware?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,550 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $51,230 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Delaware?
About 510 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Delaware, not counting the self-employed.