State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Colorado
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Colorado, $65,620. After cost-of-living, the gap is 12.1% — not 20.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+20.4%
California vs Colorado
COL-adjusted gap
+12.1%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
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%
Colorado
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $65,620
- p25
- $55,770
- p75
- $80,990
- p10
- $47,100
- p90
- $95,950
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 103.1
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +100%
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.