Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Rhode Island
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Rhode Island earn a median of $60,990 a year ($29.32 an hour), based on BLS data for 800 workers.
Pay ranges from $42,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,200 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $60,280. Rhode Island ranks 18th of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. There are 1.6 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $76,970, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,900 | $20.63 |
| 25th percentile | $49,340 | $23.72 |
| Median | $60,990 | $29.32 |
| 75th percentile | $110,210 | $52.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,200 | $65.00 |
| Average (mean) | $76,970 | $37.01 |
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 | $5,082.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,541.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,345.77 |
| Weekly | $1,172.88 |
| Hourly | $29.32 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,990 salary, see how much house you can afford in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,930 | 1,400 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $69,870 | $33.59 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $65,120 | $31.31 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $75,390 | $36.25 |
| Community Health Worker | $53,100 | $25.53 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $47,020 | $22.61 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $63,510 | $30.53 |
| Health Education Specialist | $75,360 | $36.23 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $111,590 | $53.65 |
| Clergy | $59,660 | $28.68 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $44,770 | $21.53 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Rhode Island is $60,990 a year, or $29.32 an hour. Pay ranges from $42,900 for the lowest-paid 10% to $135,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Rhode Island earn at least $135,200 a year. The top 25% earn $110,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $42,900 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $49,340 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Rhode Island?
About 800 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.