State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Delaware
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Delaware, $60,060. After cost-of-living, the gap is 18.6% — not 31.5%.
Nominal pay gap
+31.5%
California vs Delaware
COL-adjusted gap
+18.6%
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%
Delaware
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $60,060
- p25
- $51,230
- p75
- $68,090
- p10
- $47,550
- p90
- $81,210
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 99.8
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.