State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Kentucky
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Kentucky, $42,570. After cost-of-living, the gap is 51.2% — not 85.6%.
Nominal pay gap
+85.6%
California vs Kentucky
COL-adjusted gap
+51.2%
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%
Kentucky
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $42,570
- p25
- $37,230
- p75
- $48,780
- p10
- $33,880
- p90
- $63,960
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 90.2
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.