RateOrchard
State comparison · 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary: California vs Nebraska

Occupation

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in California earn a median of $79,000. In Nebraska, $43,240. After cost-of-living, the gap is 48.7% — not 82.7%.

Nominal pay gap
+82.7%
California vs Nebraska
COL-adjusted gap
+48.7%
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%
See full breakdown for California

Nebraska

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

Median
$43,240
p25
$37,230
p75
$51,890
p10
$35,760
p90
$59,160
COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
90.1
See full breakdown for Nebraska

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.