State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Iowa
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Iowa, $48,530. After cost-of-living, the gap is 29.1% — not 62.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+62.8%
California vs Iowa
COL-adjusted gap
+29.1%
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%
Iowa
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $48,530
- p25
- $44,630
- p75
- $66,180
- p10
- $37,980
- p90
- $80,760
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 87.8
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.