State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Louisiana
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Louisiana, $47,100. After cost-of-living, the gap is 33.6% — not 67.7%.
Nominal pay gap
+67.7%
California vs Louisiana
COL-adjusted gap
+33.6%
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%
Louisiana
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $47,100
- p25
- $36,380
- p75
- $62,170
- p10
- $31,890
- p90
- $72,440
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.2
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.