RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

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

Occupation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Arkansas, $58,590. After cost-of-living, the gap is 5.5% — not 25.8%.

Nominal pay gap
-25.8%
Arkansas vs California
COL-adjusted gap
-5.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities

Arkansas

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$58,590
p25
$42,620
p75
$73,290
p10
$39,440
p90
$99,070
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
86.9
See full breakdown for Arkansas

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.