State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Massachusetts
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Massachusetts, $62,500. After cost-of-living, the gap is 20.8% — not 26.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+26.4%
California vs Massachusetts
COL-adjusted gap
+20.8%
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%
Massachusetts
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $62,500
- p25
- $53,970
- p75
- $78,750
- p10
- $48,260
- p90
- $100,670
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 105.8
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- +50%
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.