State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Illinois
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Illinois, $49,960. After cost-of-living, the gap is 42.8% — not 58.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+58.1%
California vs Illinois
COL-adjusted gap
+42.8%
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%
Illinois
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $49,960
- p25
- $46,290
- p75
- $69,210
- p10
- $39,910
- p90
- $79,050
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +60%
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.