State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Idaho
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Idaho, $52,520. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.8% — not 50.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+50.4%
California vs Idaho
COL-adjusted gap
+29.8%
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%
Idaho
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $52,520
- p25
- $45,760
- p75
- $75,920
- p10
- $40,940
- p90
- $92,770
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 95.5
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.