State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Maryland
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Maryland, $73,580. After cost-of-living, the gap is 1.8% — not 7.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+7.4%
California vs Maryland
COL-adjusted gap
+1.8%
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%
Maryland
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $73,580
- p25
- $49,440
- p75
- $94,690
- p10
- $38,100
- p90
- $104,000
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 105.0
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.