State comparison · 2025
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Montana
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Montana, $45,160. After cost-of-living, the gap is 49.5% — not 74.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+74.9%
California vs Montana
COL-adjusted gap
+49.5%
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%
Montana
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers
- Median
- $45,160
- p25
- $39,760
- p75
- $59,850
- p10
- $37,960
- p90
- $82,390
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 94.6
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.