Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in Worcester, MA
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn a median of $60,480 a year ($29.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 960 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,910 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $60,280. Pay here is 3% lower than the Massachusetts statewide median of $62,500. There are 2.7 mental health and substance abuse social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $65,020, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Worcester, MA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,860 | $22.53 |
| 25th percentile | $52,920 | $25.44 |
| Median | $60,480 | $29.08 |
| 75th percentile | $74,390 | $35.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $91,910 | $44.19 |
| Average (mean) | $65,020 | $31.26 |
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 | $5,040 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,520 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,326.15 |
| Weekly | $1,163.08 |
| Hourly | $29.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,480 salary, see how much house you can afford in Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $69,960 | 210 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $63,830 | 4,660 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $62,990 | 170 |
| Springfield, MA | $60,250 | 510 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $59,930 | 1,400 |
| Pittsfield, MA | $56,660 | 170 |
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 Massachusetts statewide figures.
Related jobs in Worcester, MA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $57,950 | $27.86 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $70,900 | $34.09 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $78,040 | $37.52 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $74,520 | $35.83 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Community Health Worker | $53,620 | $25.78 |
| Health Education Specialist | $59,290 | $28.51 |
| Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other | $55,000 | $26.44 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $62,490 | $30.04 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $112,960 | $54.31 |
| Clergy | $72,300 | $34.76 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Worcester, MA
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 Worcester, MA?
The median salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Worcester, MA metro area is $60,480 a year, or $29.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $91,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mental health and substance abuse social workers make in Worcester, MA?
The top 10% of mental health and substance abuse social workers in the Worcester, MA metro area earn at least $91,910 a year. The top 25% earn $74,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in Worcester, MA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,860 a year, and a quarter of mental health and substance abuse social workers earn $52,920 or less.
How many mental health and substance abuse social workers work in Worcester, MA?
About 960 mental health and substance abuse social workers are employed in the Worcester, MA metro area, not counting the self-employed.