Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Washington
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in Washington earn a median of $70,460 a year ($33.88 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,490 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,680 for the top 10%. That is 17% higher than the national median of $60,280. Washington ranks 8th of 51 states for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay. There are 0.98 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,790 | $22.50 |
| 25th percentile | $56,050 | $26.95 |
| Median | $70,460 | $33.88 |
| 75th percentile | $84,500 | $40.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,680 | $49.36 |
| Average (mean) | $71,710 | $34.48 |
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 | $5,871.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,935.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,710 |
| Weekly | $1,355 |
| Hourly | $33.88 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $70,460 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $78,350 | 1,840 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $73,740 | 1,170 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $71,140 | 430 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $68,850 | 80 |
| Bellingham, WA | $65,770 | 90 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $65,500 | 60 |
| Lewiston, ID-WA | $60,270 | 50 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $59,230 | 100 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $57,370 | 210 |
| Yakima, WA | $53,850 | 130 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $46,790 | 70 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $68,910 | $33.13 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $74,480 | $35.81 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $82,670 | $39.74 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $78,570 | $37.77 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Community Health Worker | $57,070 | $27.44 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $82,750 | $39.79 |
| Health Education Specialist | $77,420 | $37.22 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $102,520 | $49.29 |
| Counselors, All Other | $69,530 | $33.43 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $60,000 | $28.84 |
| Clergy | $80,830 | $38.86 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington is $70,460 a year, or $33.88 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $102,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Washington?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington earn at least $102,680 a year. The top 25% earn $84,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,790 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $56,050 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Washington?
About 3,490 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.