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State comparison · 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: Alaska vs California

Occupation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Alaska, $56,710. After cost-of-living, the gap is 22.4% — not 28.2%.

Nominal pay gap
-28.2%
Alaska vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-22.4%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Alaska

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$56,710
p25
$49,430
p75
$68,690
p10
$46,250
p90
$85,670
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
102.4
See full breakdown for Alaska

California

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$79,000
p25
$57,800
p75
$118,860
p10
$46,450
p90
$147,300
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
110.7
Hiring velocity (180d)
-29%
See full breakdown for California

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.