RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

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

Occupation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Georgia, $52,030. After cost-of-living, the gap is 32.1% — not 51.8%.

Nominal pay gap
+51.8%
California vs Georgia
COL-adjusted gap
+32.1%
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%
See full breakdown for California

Georgia

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$52,030
p25
$45,090
p75
$72,490
p10
$32,990
p90
$83,500
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
96.3
See full breakdown for Georgia

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.