State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Kansas
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Kansas, $56,330. After cost-of-living, the gap is 14.1% — not 40.2%.
Nominal pay gap
+40.2%
California vs Kansas
COL-adjusted gap
+14.1%
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%
Kansas
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $56,330
- p25
- $48,990
- p75
- $66,290
- p10
- $47,750
- p90
- $79,650
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.1
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.